I have a 48 gal cichlid tank with two Acei, three yellow labs and two hongis. The hongi almost always remain a dull blue color even though they are over 6 months old. Occasionally one will brighten up and look beautiful, but not nearly as much as I would think they should. Is this unusual? I've read somewhere not to keep two labs in a tank together but they seem so different in color I wouldn't expect it to be a problem. Any ideas?
Yellow Labs and Hongi's
- Thread starter R.A.C.K
- Start date
Hongi`s change color more than a lot of other fish that I have kept. I had one that was showing full color at 1.5" and now that he is 3" he only colors up occasionally.
I think my final conclusion is that the Acei in the tank are not a good combination. When the hongi go dark they look really similar. Since the Acei are the biegger fish at this time, I think they are matching them.
Can you pop up a picture?
It sounds to me the Hongis are female.
Unlike most Africans, Hongi female are pretty much a dull looking male.
It sounds to me the Hongis are female.
Unlike most Africans, Hongi female are pretty much a dull looking male.
It could just be the pecking order in the tank.
You also may have a female like another member suggested.
A lot of the time you have to wait till the fish matures with africans. They tend not to show colours all the time until they are fully grown.
You also may have a female like another member suggested.
A lot of the time you have to wait till the fish matures with africans. They tend not to show colours all the time until they are fully grown.