I have four of them, and the color does vary in them all, but most of them are more brown than the one picture. I think the one promently pictured is the boss of the tank (but they are all mild mannered). Maybe that's why his color is so bright -- but I don't know for sure. Another one is nearly as pretty, but then the other two are more brown. Their color also changes overnight to a darker shade and brightens after their light's been on awhile They are in with platys, corys and serpaes.