You Looking at Me?

[Manu8__too]

The blues are quite variable in the synspilus/melanurus group. I have a large male (~13") that is about 5 years old and presently, is predominantly light blue with yellow to the rear, and a light pinkish head region, much like the last pic you displayed, @manu8__too. About 2 years ago, he looked like my first pic (it is him). This is the red form of Paraneetroplus melanurus. I do have another one, same age, size and sex and he is at this time much more colorful, like my first pic. On the other hand, the orange form from Lake Peten in Guatamala, is distinctly different, showing a much deeper blue (almost black at times) over most of the body, with a lot of orange . This is him in the second pic and the pair in the following one The fourth shows the 'orange' form when about a year old ... lots of orange which tends to come out more when courting and spawning. They are in my pond right now and are doing great out there.
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[Manu8__too]

Quick reference that I thought I'd throw on here. This is from Ad Konings book "Cichlids From Central America". There are 8 pages dedicated to this particular species (back when it was considered Cichlasoma Synspilus in 1989). This page compares the same fish with slightly different color variations (the upper picture being similar to my Syn when he is displaying more yellows). A wonderful book to own for the Central American Cichlid hobbyists.