Weird coloration on Escondido

[cookiemonster]

My 3-4 inch Escondido Texas cichlid is showing some weird coloration. It's normally the standard escondido turquoise blue, but recently it's lower half is dark black and it's face is pretty pale. The front half looks alot like H. bartoni. Any idea what's going on?

 

[WildCAught]

It's breeding with something or trying to. BTW the escondido is not a texas. It's a carpintis

 

[Cross127]

It is stressed or possibly in breeding phase. It should also have vertical lines near the tail as well.

 

[cookiemonster]

Yep, there's definately barring near the tail. I wonder what it's trying to spawn with? There are no other carpintis in the tank.

 

[Modest_Man]

Is it male or female? I have a very nice 4" female Escondido if it's male.

Most Herichthys go into the black and white dress when breeding.

 

[cichniss]

Yep, there's definately barring near the tail. I wonder what it's trying to spawn with? There are no other carpintis in the tank.

It may not be trying to spawn with anything. It could just be a female who is getting ready to lay.

 

[cookiemonster]

I don't think it's a female, as it's so small and has a nice little nuchal hump. I'll try to post pictures this afternoon.

 

[mbunafishkeeper]

what else is in the tank?

 

[ewok]

you'd be surprised at the size some fish spawn at...
nuchal hump also isnt an indicator of gender

 

[Dovii dude]

Sounds like it could be stressed.