Festae Colours

[Enigmatic96]

About 2-3 months ago I purchased a female Festae that had been with a male for a few years in the same tank. Then about month ago I purchased the male. I kept them divided in the same tank which is around 220gallons for about 2 week (it has caves that only she can get into) and then pulled the divider to see how the react to each other. They seem to get along well, the most I ever see is she has a few nipped fins here and there or a missing scale or two or him chasing her. I have never seen them lip lock or fight before, whenever he comes up to her she always goes over to him and swims with him. He is probably around 10 inches or so and she is around 6 inches. I have recently pulled the divider a few days ago and she has the usual of a few nipped fins however I have not noticed anymore in the past 24 hours and they seem to be healing. My question is whenever I pull the divider she has really nice colours that are red but then she always goes to more drab colours and I wanted to ask why that is?

 

[Jexnell]

The bright striking colors is to attract male's. When none are around, they go that drab coloring you mention. It's just what they do. Fish can radically change colors during breeding.

 

[Serpentine]

Can you put in a divider that they can see each other through? That will keep her safe and allow her to show off her pretty colors for the male.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Festae just do that. My female is always the prettiest or ugliest fish in my tank - all depending upon her mood. Her colors change more than any other fish I have. She really pouts after a water change as well.

 

[duanes]

Without a male around, many females adapt a less striking appearance.
My festae were the same.
1st without a male in the tank.

now same female with a male in the tank.


and with other cichlids
female haitiensus without a male

now with a male in tank

another, sajica in non seducing colors

now, in the seduction mode

 

[Enigmatic96]

Without a male around, many females adapt a less striking appearance.
My festae were the same.
1st without a male in the tank.

now same female with a male in the tank.


and with other cichlids
female haitiensus without a male

now with a male in tank

another, sajica in non seducing colors

now, in the seduction mode

There is a male and female in the tank though. He constantly displays colours like the male in the photo, however is seems to be drab most of the time. She is more colourful then the photo of the female Festae without a male but at the same time her red is not vibrant