Bringing back color to subdominant adult males - scianochromis fryeri

[Adam GR]

Hi
I have a all male 90 gal tank and just recently (2months ago) set up a 50g grow out/subdominant fish tank.
In a 50g I put 3 peacocks and electric blue, all of them around 5in long, and few small juvies (2inch).
2 of those peacock color up nicely in few weeks and I moved them to main tank. Now only electric blue and my eureka jake stays in with juvies and somehow they struggle to put sone color on them. Do you think they jjst need more time or some subdominant males simply will never color up??

 

[Adam GR]

Just to add
There is 5in severum with them but I dont think he is problem

 

[tlindsey]

Hi
I have a all male 90 gal tank and just recently (2months ago) set up a 50g grow out/subdominant fish tank.
In a 50g I put 3 peacocks and electric blue, all of them around 5in long, and few small juvies (2inch).
2 of those peacock color up nicely in few weeks and I moved them to main tank. Now only electric blue and my eureka jake stays in with juvies and somehow they struggle to put sone color on them. Do you think they jjst need more time or some subdominant males simply will never color up??
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If the male is the lowest in the pecking order and is being harrassed then it will make it difficult for that male to color up.

 

[Adam GR]

If the male is the lowest in the pecking order and is being harrassed then it will make it difficult for that male to color up.

Well, in 90g they were in a middle of pecking order and never really harassed.
Now from 3 weeks eureka and electric blue are kings of that 50g tank and still doesnt gain any more color.

 

[Stephen St.Clair]

A subordinate cichlid that colors up in a reserve tank has the potential to fade out again when transferred back into the display tank with its rival. I have a several like male duos in my 120 gal. Blue Dragons, Tiawan Reefs, Kenyi, Trewavasae, Red Zebra, maybe one or two others. All show good color or are in the process of equally coloring up, (except the Kenyi).
IMO, three factors come into play when like male maximum coloration is the goal; Space, a well designed, complex & elevated hardscape & sensible overcrowding.
Hope the subordinates color up soon.