Trimac markings

[RampageRR]

I have a small group of 5 juvenile Rio Niltepec trimacs. 2 of the larger fish have zero markings on them aside from the large tail spot. Just curious if anyone's ever had an adult trimac that had no markings on it - if so would you mind posting pics? I do have several from the same group with very prominent markings, so I find this to be interesting. I'll likely grow out both sets to see which I like better as an adult. I'll start posting pics of them in a few months as they start to color up and become more impressive.

 

[RampageRR]

Pic of the little guy in question.

 

[duanes]

Above is a sub-adult trimaculatus, at only about 4-5"
As adults, in the 8-12" range the males look like this

The females, slightly smaller, below (in spawning readiness mode)

Female with eggs below

 

[RampageRR]

Thanks, duanes . Did your male's spots come in later as he grew, or were they always visible? The sub-adult you have posted in the first pic, is that the same one pictured right below it or another fish entirely?

 

[duanes]

Thanks, duanes . Did your male's spots come in later as he grew, or were they always visible? The sub-adult you have posted in the first pic, is that the same one pictured right below it or another fish entirely?

The subadult is another fish entirely, came from COA.
But it took the larger ones a little time to develop markings and color too, don't remember how long.

 

[RampageRR]

The subadult is another fish entirely, came from COA.
But it took the larger ones a little time to develop markings and color too, don't remember how long.

It'll be interesting to see if this one ever gets any spots at all. The other 4 smaller ones all have markings, even when they were much smaller, while this specific fish has never shown any signs at all. I'm more just curious to see what happens. I hope it ends up being a good look as the fish is extremely outgoing and not shy whatsoever, which is significantly different from the rest of the group.

 

[duanes]

After reading this thread, I went to the Cichlid Room Companion, and browsed the dozen or so photos of trimacs.
Some from one river, some another.
But even some from the same river had different coloration.
Some more brown, some more yellow, some with dark markings some hardly any at all.
It seems to be whatever colors or patterns are better adapted to the survival of the fish in a certain geographic environment. (less plants, more rocks, etc etc)
Below is shot I took of a Chuco intermedia from a certain river.

a few years later I kept the same species of Chuco, but from another tributary not very far from the first.

 

[RampageRR]

Just an update on the weirdo. He's probably approaching 6"-6.5" now and still solid yellow/pink.

 

[IcK]

Just an FYI, the color of your substrate will likely impact the coloration of your Trimac as well. I had one previously that would get almost black with a dark substrate. I mixed a light and dark substrate and the colors really evened out on my specimen (my post history might have it). Try adding some darker things in your tank and see if it has any impact at all.

 

[duanes]

Just an FYI, the color of your substrate will likely impact the coloration of your Trimac as well. I had one previously that would get almost black with a dark substrate. I mixed a light and dark substrate and the colors really evened out on my specimen (my post history might have it). Try adding some darker things in your tank and see if it has any impact at all.

I agree
the color of your substrate would tend to make any cichlids natural coloration wash out.
Cichlids are very sensitive to the color of their surroundings, and will as much as possible instinctually try to blend in with it.
There have a number of posts here where aquarists want white, or bright mono-color substrate and their cichlids always tend to look anemic.
I find natural sand colors and/or adding a lot of sunken wood and darker rockwork can make a dramatic difference.
Most cichlid predators come from above in the form of fish eating birds, and a dark fish on a light bottom will stand out like a sore thumb.