Red Devil color change

[RD.]

Sure, I agree that supplementing a food with frozen/fresh is fine if one wants to, I was simply pointing out that supplementing with extra astaxanthin and/or krill wasn't going to cause any gains in overall coloration, given the diet that the OP already has this fish on.

As far as lighting, my theory on why fish in ponds etc can be much brighter/colorful than tank raised specimens is due to the turbidity or lack of clarity that these fish are often found in. The authors in the study above specualte along the same lines, stating that the transformation from barred to gold may in fact be influenced by both genes, and environment, using water turbidity, depth, and social interaction as possible environmental factors.

Which leads me to my next question, who's to say how much carotenoids would be utilized for color by a midas, in its natural environment, or even in a dimly lit tank, vs in this study?

 

[Aquanero]

The study does draw a corralation between turbidity and color but does not go into why or how. The following are my thoughts on the connection between diet, lighting/envronment and color. Please debate, if you think I'm wrong in my thinking. Again this is a great thread. thanks OP.

UVB exposure causes the body to produce vitamin D, positive health effects attributed to UVB radiation are related to this vitamin. It has regulatory roles in calcium metabolism (which is vital for normal functioning of the nervous system, as well as for bone growth and maintenance of bone density) and for improved immunity which may in fact have a direct correlation with the different Midas's ability to absorb and utilize the carrotinoides (sp) available in a particular food source.
Too little UVB radiation leads to a lack of Vitamin D, and lowered immunity as described by the study which was found in the Red/Orange Midas living in deeper more turbid waters. Too much UVB can cause skin cancer, however the correct amount of UVB leads to a limited amount of DNA damage (The Goldie Locks Zone) the melanin production (dark pigment) is increased, which leads to darker skin color as is seen in the barred variety inhabiting shallower regions within the same body of water alonge with increased immunity. So I put it out there for debate the diet of a Midas combined with the environment and correct lighting will dictate the color or lack of whichever the case may be.

 

[RD.]

Most commercial diets (as well as those consumed in the wild) should contain enough vitamin D to rule out the need for UVB supplementation.
Also, in native waters such as Lake Masaya the water is quite turbid, and the gold color morphs (especially the larger fish) are typically found in deeper waters. Most studies suggest that the main selective pressure working against gold morphs, is predation, so it seems obvious as to why these color morphs do not congregate in shallower water, where light intensity is greatest.

When I consider coloration in fish, and turbidity, or greater depths where light is minimal, I believe that the color intensity is greared more towards attracting potential mates.

Most species of cichlids have the ability to turn their color on, and off, and will do so during breeding, periods of aggression, stress, etc. I personally believe this is exactly what the OP is experiencing with their fish.

Changes as simple as the color of a tanks background, substrate, or even the light intensity in a tank can also alter a fishes overall coloration.

Just recently I moved some native Lepomis megalotis from a fairly dark, dimly lit tank with a black background, and dark substrate, to a fairly brightly lit tank, with a lighter background, and light substrate, and the fish colored down almost immediately, and remained that way for several weeks. When those fish were added back to their previous tank, with much darker conditions, their color popped right back within a few hours. The change in their color was drastic, night & day, and the only change that took place was a change in their environment.

 

[Autophysn]

he may have just got blushed, lol!

 

[Modest_Man]

Colored midas do not have the ability to adjust their color at will. They lose that when they go from barred to colored, as adjusting color means constricting or expanding the melanophores that they now lack.

We describe the histological basis of color metamorphosis in the polychromatic Midas cichlid, Cichlasoma citrinellum. Eight percent of the individuals in a natural population transform from gray with black markings to orange, simultaneously losing their ability to adjust coloration in response to background and social context. This trait is inherited. Light- and electron microscopy revealed that this transformation is a two-step process. First, the melanophores die, then macrophage-like cells remove the debris. As a result of this initial process, the underlying xanthophores become visible, producing the orange coloration. A similar process may occur in individuals that further transform to white, or go directly from gray to white.

LINK

 

[RD.]

I don't believe that the OP stated that they had a citrinellum.

If we are discussing a fish of mixed heritage, such as an RD/Midas mix, all bets are off. Otherwise, I am in total agreement.

Having said that, I have personally seen (and have photos to prove my point) of an RD/Midas mix that at adult size did in fact increase in color in an area where previously there was little to no color, just by changing its diet.

 

[RD.]

Actaully MM, that blood red pond specimen that you caught is probably the best example of a color shift in an Amphilophus that I have ever seen.

 

[Anubisscott]

I don't believe that the OP stated that they had a citrinellum.

If we are discussing a fish of mixed heritage, such as an RD/Midas mix, all bets are off. Otherwise, I am in total agreement.

It applies to all because Labiatus and Citrinellum are almost the same fish as they are so closely related. They are just evolutionary adaptations of the Amphilophus Complex. This rule would also apply to colored A. sagittae and A. Xiloaensis as they two are part of the "Midas complex". So the fact the fish could be a hybrid of the complexes is a moot point.

The effect even goes as far as Barred's when it comes to coloration as one with a well balanced diet and subjection to sunlight will cause them to be darker then one in poor lighting and diet.

Sorry I was late on this one guys. Been studying and moving the 125g back inside.

 

[RD.]

Interesting, so how would you explain this. (same fish, after photo taken after being relocated to an aquarium) - photos compliments of Modest-Man

Before ....

After ......

 

[glenbo]

look at the rim around the red devil, bottom right (the pond one)

Its photoshopped, give me a similar picture and i'll do the same to it.