Changing colors

[mr limpet]

I bought a couple of lemon Oscar’s 6 weeks ago. Now they’re looking orange. I’m very careful about using foods that won’t affect their colors. I don’t get it. You can see by the pictures.

 

[Jexnell]

With Lemons it's really hit or miss. I see more stories about them changing then staying yellow.

I have seen some Oscar's do wild changes as they grew up. Who ever thought my 5 dot Oscar would turn out as she did.


That one's forehead looks a bit off, otherwise looking like some healthy O's.

 

[mr limpet]

Could it be because of the dark gravel?

 

[A201]

Many species of fish have a natural camouflage ability, being able to change colors to blend in with its surroundings. Mood can also influence the color changes.
I think your Oscars have simply settled in nicely & are displaying great color, although not the advertised lemon color.

 

[mr limpet]

So do you think changing the gravel color back to white might help?

 

[duanes]

With any line--bred for color species, as they mature colors are often dependent on how long the line variant has been set, and many other intangible factors, but especially with cichlids. Not only man made for color oscars, even natural variants like the ones below.
Below young Vieja bifasciatta left, right a year later

Below left a young Amphilophus amarillo, right a year later,

Expecting any cichlid to remain a certain color forever, is not realistic

 

[FINWIN]

I'd say just wait it out. My Oscar has had some crazy color shifts most notably a day glo red when he was one. Whatever it was, that color wasn't stable and never returned. He's been red-orange, bright red, dark red, solid, spotted, speckled...His top fin is like a prehistoric mohawk in the front and very thick/spiny. Only thing that's stayed consistent are his eyelids, a metallic orange color. Don't trust juvie appearance.

 

[FINWIN]

Here's Brick's wild color shifts. At 1 year. 12"


1-2 Years 13"


at 2-3 yrs 14"


current at 5 yrs 15". current color seems stable but a bit more red again.

 

[mr limpet]

Thanks for all the info. I contacted shop where I got the Oscars from. They told me it’s the food I’m giving them causing them to turn orange. They said stop the food I’m giving them and feed them something else without color enhancers or dye.which I thought I did. Also said their yellow color will return.

 

[FJB]

In addition to food effect on overall color (relatively permanent), there are also the dramatic color changes related to mood of the fish in question, which can come and go quite quickly. I am sure we all are aware of this, but I wanted to show an example.
Below, the same fish as normal, and in 'showing off' mood.