Mystery - colorful female aulonocara?

[Adam GR]

Hi
Ok so here is my Eureka which looks pretty much lika a nice matureing male too me. 3 days ago I've seen this fish danceing with another male, from next day hat fish stop eating and it looks like she have eggs in mouth.
I am fully aware that hormoned fishes can keep some of male color but did anyone seen female with so much color???

 

[tlindsey]

Hi
Ok so here is my Eureka which looks pretty much lika a nice matureing male too me. 3 days ago I've seen this fish danceing with another male, from next day hat fish stop eating and it looks like she have eggs in mouth.
I am fully aware that hormoned fishes can keep some of male color but did anyone seen female with so much color???View attachment 1394387View attachment 1394387View attachment 1394388View attachment 1394389

That is probably a less dominant male and it could be getting stressed that will cause a fish to not eat.

 

[Adam GR]

That is probably a less dominant male and it could be getting stressed that will cause a fish to not eat.

Well he was for 6 months in a big tank with other big guys and always eat like crazy. He wasnt the smallest fish in there.
Now from yesterday he is in my baby mbuna and female peacock tank and still not eating.

 

[tlindsey]

Well he was for 6 months in a big tank with other big guys and always eat like crazy. He wasnt the smallest fish in there.
Now from yesterday he is in my baby mbuna and female peacock tank and still not eating.

Tbh I'm not sure myself I never seen a female colored up like that.

 

[tlindsey]

Well he was for 6 months in a big tank with other big guys and always eat like crazy. He wasnt the smallest fish in there.
Now from yesterday he is in my baby mbuna and female peacock tank and still not eating.

james99
RD.

 

[BIG-G]

So it was just moved yesterday? Not eating could still be a stress response.
I advise to observe for a few more days.
Unless you actually see this fish lay eggs and spawn. I’m thinking it’s sub dominate male

 

[RD.]

I agree with the previous posters, it is not uncommon to see male fish go through the breeding ritual when suitable females are not present.

 

[RD.]

I am fully aware that hormoned fishes can keep some of male color but did anyone seen female with so much color???

I have seen fully colored juiced up females, but not after 6+ months. The hormones would fade long before that.

 

[Adam GR]

I have seen fully colored juiced up females, but not after 6+ months. The hormones would fade long before that.

I've read somewhere that females after heavy hormone diet can keep pointed fins and a bit of color forever, but Im not sure about it.
I will keep that fish in smaller tank for couple days and will see.. thanks

 

[RD.]

I've read somewhere that females after heavy hormone diet can keep pointed fins and a bit of color forever, but Im not sure about it.
I will keep that fish in smaller tank for couple days and will see.. thanks

I think that you read some bogus info. I have seen plenty of hormoned fish over the years, and know vendors who would use juice to separate different species of Aulononcara years ago if they got mixed, but all females revert back to their normal color shortly after hormones wear off. Same as when an athlete discontinues hormones.