Why do cichlids have breeding dresses?

[Hybridfish7]

I know in things like rift lake cichlids they flare up their colors to attract mates or show they're ready to breed and that's their 'breeding dress' but what about those of american fish? like in members of the herichthys genus or the convict complex
they only show different coloration after they've found a mate and have offspring, and even then it's usually duller or at the very least darker
my guess is that it's to act as a warning to other fish but you tell me

 

[FESHMAN]

Well it's like a signal (Hey I'm ready for action) thing. Sometimes it isn't noticeable in some species especially in captive made strains (like the yellow severum in my avatar). And it's not only with fish birds and other animals have this mechanism to attract mates. The more colorful and attitude you have, the more likely you're gonna get a mate. I'm not sure what it this called but I'm sure it has some fancy scientific name. I guess not all fish are after looks and prefer personality? Who knows

 

[Hybridfish7]

but like I said what about the fish that only show that (usually duller) coloration after they've found a mate and spawned
like this

I am aware some fish will flash brighter colors to attract mates, that's the case with alot of U.S native and african fish but thanks for the reply

 

[Zanzag]

The duller coloration is to typically help camouflage from predators. Sometimes it's a bright color to help draw predators away from the young which are then typically drab.

 

[Zanzag]

Also what species is it that you used as an example

 

[Hybridfish7]

Also what species is it that you used as an example

amatitlania myrnae

 

[duanes]

Most Central American cichlids show lots of extra melanin during breeding, this communicates to other cichlids their heightened state of aggressiveness, and the dark colors on the lower body help show fry distinguish the parents from non-parents, and mates from non-mates.
Many of my centrals show very intense color changess, but since photo bucket is screwed up, I don't have access to post pics of my former breeders, at the moment.
In the book The Cichlid Fishes, Natures Grand Experiment In Eveolution, by George Barlow, there is an entire chapter on cichlid communication, called Cichlid Speak with a large focus on the how and why of certain color changes.

 

[duanes]

Here are a couple examples of new world breeding colors, that communicate higher states of aggression, and help fry discern parents from non-parents..
1st a normal color Nosferatu bartoni.

Now one in breeding colors.

Now normal Chco intermedium

below Chuco spawning

Normal Amatitlania cutteri

Below cutteri spawning dress

 

[duanes]

Herichthys carpintus normal color

below spawning dress

 

[Supergeorge123]

Humans don't usually dress up or where makeup until they have a date already lined up. I wonder if ancient humans used to use mud and stuff to signal mating behavior like modern humans do with makeup. "Dang girl, that's some sexy elephant dung smeared all over your face."