Fish coloration

[Isaiah Shipp]

I have some 3 to 4 inch jaguar cichlids that are always dark, you can barley see any markings. I have heard that if they are dark or pale they are stressed but my substrate is black sand so could they be trying to blend in or are they stressed? Tank has been up and running for a year, nothing wrong with tank parameters.

 

[RD.]

Yeah, most likely the dark substrate.

 

[Toiletcar]

Could be stress. It's always a good idea to double check water params, ph etc. I check mine often. Are there tank mates?

 

[Isaiah Shipp]

Could be stress. It's always a good idea to double check water params, ph etc. I check mine often. Are there tank mates?

No other tank mates, just the jaguars.

 

[Galantspeedz]

Is there a dominant one?

 

[Isaiah Shipp]

Is there a dominant one?

Yes, the biggest one. He chases the others around but that’s it. They rarely lip lock and the only reason I have a few jaguars in the same take is cause I waiting for them to pair off. Once that happens and I take all but 2 out of the tank, do you think they will color up?

 

[Galantspeedz]

Yes, the biggest one. He chases the others around but that’s it. They rarely lip lock and the only reason I have a few jaguars in the same take is cause I waiting for them to pair off. Once that happens and I take all but 2 out of the tank, do you think they will color up?

if you remove the dominant one, the rest should color up till another dominant one among them pops up

is like a hierarchy...

but the substrate and background will also play a part in the color of the fish

 

[RD.]

If the dominant one is also dark, how will removing it help? lol

Post a pic of tank & fish, this is pretty much a big guessing game otherwise.

 

[Hendre]

Substrate makes a world of difference!

 

[tlindsey]

How long have you had the juvenile Jaguar Cichlids? Like stated from above it can be more than just the substrate.