Color Change ?

[cmj76]

I just added a Melanchromis arautus to my tank. I already have one that has more yellow and thin black lines on it . The new fish I added has thick black lines on it. When the fish was added the two were rubbing up against each other and the fish that is more yellow changed to a really dull color. Does anyone know what this might be ?

 

[N-E Cichlids]

The yellow ones are female and the males are a dark color almost bluish gey color. They were probably establishing dominance. The dominent one stays bright and the Sub dominant one loses some of the coolr. Thay is probably what happened.

 

[number17Fan]

I have 2 M. Auratus's also. Each is about 2 in long and one of them looks like he is starting to turn male. He was a nice bright yellow and now he's like a dirty brown all over.

I assumed he was a male turning to his inverted colors, is that correct?

 

[mostlycichlids]

they do change color like stated before females will stay yellow and males will turn blue/grey/brownish color.

here is a picture of male turning to his color.

http://cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=750

go through the pictures there are mlaes to female color on this page.

 

[mike dunagan]

depending on the tank mates they male lose his color if he is the lowest on the totempole...

 

[Cory]

Auratus can alternate between male and female.