Why Some Jaguar Cichlids Look Different?

[Sarcosuchus]

It seems some Jaguar Cichlids (males especially) look stunning as the Instagram video picture I have attached. Their body and colour pattern look very much like a real jaguar cat while others look plain black and white.

I see this difference even among males. Is there any difference in the species or is this just a matter of genetic / mood / diet / health and water quality?

Note in the photo there is a quality bronze and purplish tone on its body followed by the beautiful jaguar like spots / markings.

 

[tlindsey]

It seems some Jaguar Cichlids (males especially) look stunning as the Instagram video picture I have attached. Their body and colour pattern look very much like a real jaguar cat while others look plain black and white.

I see this difference even among males. Is there any difference in the species or is this just a matter of genetic / mood / diet / health and water quality?

Note in the photo there is a quality bronze and purplish tone on its body followed by the beautiful jaguar like spots / markings.

View attachment 1293124

It could also depend on if they were wc and where they were collected location but your spot on about what you stated.

 

[justarn]

There are many variations within species, look at Oscars, body shape and colours vary massively.
In jags it's similar, not quite so extreme tho.
Some show blue along their back some are silver, gold or bronze.
Some are stout some more elongate.
Remember like dovii most jags won't show their adult colour until 10-12" before this time they can still look like the opposite sexes.
Add to that the constant in breeding with store bought mutts and it destroys the look imo (not that a few don't turn out nice).
Buy from a reputable source like cota or rapps and ask for pics of the parents if you really want a nice Jag.

 

[duanes]

As stated above, certain locations, because of topography, water clarity, plant life etc, will favor certain gene combinations, that allow certain better(for the area) color combinations to be favored, or dominate. If blue helps an individual to conceal itself from predators, that color may be favored by the individuals that survive, and get to pass on those genes.
Take the Chuco intermedium I've kept.My first group looked like this



now my second group



In any one spawn there may be lots of variation, and in nature the one that best fits the environment dominates.
Another example would be all the variation of Herichthys carpintus, from different locations available today.