Dempsey maturation colour

[Humphreys91]

Hi guys I can’t find any definitive answers on this, what things make a jack Dempsey get really dark and vivid colours? Is it sex? Genetics or other factors? Also what sex is mine? I believe it’s a she? Anything I can do to really make her/his colours pop?

 

[Deadeye]

Looks male to me, this is mine:
Typically darker background/substrate bring out darker colors. Mine only looks this good around feeding time, otherwise he looks very similar to yours.
Age and size has a lot to do with it, around a year old and about 3-4 inches, they start to show much better colors.

 

[Jexnell]

I believe your JD is a male. There is no "blue beard" that only females display.

Here a pic of my female showing that beard.


See all the extra blue under her eyes, sweeping back to her gill covers.

Coloration of fish has a lot of things that effect it. From breeding behavior, the really dark black version, to the almost tan, stressed. This all plays a role in the coloration. Just provide a great home and you will be rewarded with a beautiful fish.