Jewel Cichlids Lack Redness

[mxg5299]

My 2 jewel cichlids are not the beautiful red that I see in pictures. They're more of a brown with their normal, small blue dots scattered around. They're in a 36 gallon with 2 bumblebees, a firemouth, and a sun catfish. Why aren't they bright?

 

[isiah1820]

First that's too small of a tank for thos fish so that could be the reason y there not at full color.

 

[Lady_Alia]

There are different types of jewels. Only hemi lifalili is the bright red. What type do you have?

Also, bumblebees are notorious jerks! Their color may be dulled if they're being bullied.

 

[mxg5299]

theres no bullying problems that i can see. They're also wicked shy when any human comes up to the tank. Why?

 

[Lady_Alia]

Fish are just like any other animal, sometimes they're shy. Mine aren't shy at all but they have a tank all to themselves.