What's the difference?

[SLeigh24]

In terms of genetics, what's the difference between these fish? They were both sold to me as convicts (two separate locations) but they're notably different. The lighter one I've been told is female and the darker one has a visible hump growing which tells me he's likely male. But besides that, are they just different colour variations?

 

[Kvandy]

Female convicts have orange on the sides and males do not. The only difference between these fish besides one being male and the other female is maybe the mood they are in. Many cichlids change color due to mood,breeding,stress etc...

 

[SLeigh24]

The female has been pale like that since she came home with me though. Ive had her for over a month. I've seen her darken, and while her stripes do get a little darker they don't come close to the male. I haven't seen my male lighten much if at all yet. He's only been with me since this week. Could she perhaps be marble or at least have some partial marble colouring?

 

[Rocksor]

White substrate is not helping.