When do baby cichlids get their colours?

[Magikalgirl79]

Just wondering how old before my baby electric yellow cichlids will get their colours. right now they are 3-4 months old

 

[Wy Renegade]

L. caeruleus fry should have their color at release; these guys were only a week or two old when the picture was taken.

 

[Magikalgirl79]

L. caeruleus fry should have their color at release; these guys were only a week or two old when the picture was taken.

Hmmm I was told my three were electric yellow cichlids. She told me they were about 2 months old when she gave them to me. I just took these pics now. Maybe she lied lol



Top 2 are my fry cichlids

 

[Mogurako]

Those look like some type of zebra to me not labs.

 

[Wy Renegade]

Maybe a lab of some type, but I would be more inclined to think they are a very unblotched P. zebra (OB).

LOL, Mogurako beat me to it.

 

[garfy]

+1 they look more like ob zebras and not yellow labs




Here is a yellow lab

 

[Magikalgirl79]

Grrr well just as long as they end up being a nice bright colour! That's the only reason I took them from the lady lol.

When should I expect them to get their colours?

 

[Magikalgirl79]

She told me they would look like this

 

[garfy]

Not in a million years sorry.Id take them back and get the fish you wanted.They will already look like miniature versions of your picture.

 

[garfy]

The one in that picture is a beauty

 

[Mogurako]

They will most likely end up being a pale orange color. It looks like either a hybrid or a weak blood line, at that age any cichlid should have some good coloring.

For quality stock I would buy fish from reputable online breeders with strong lines.

I would go and have a chat with that lady, it's irresponsible to knowing sell a fish falsely or not knowing what you are selling to people.

 

[Magikalgirl79]

Not in a million years sorry.Id take them back and get the fish you wanted.They will already look like miniature versions of your picture.

Well I guess I'll wait and see what they look like when they get bigger. They were free after all do you know how long I'll be waiting? Lol

 

[Mogurako]

Well I guess I'll wait and see what they look like when they get bigger. They were free after all do you know how long I'll be waiting? Lol

They should already be showing their emerging adult colors at 3-5 months.

 

[Magikalgirl79]

They will most likely end up being a pale orange color. It looks like either a hybrid or a weak blood line, at that age any cichlid should have some good coloring.

For quality stock I would buy fish from reputable online breeders with strong lines.

I would go and have a chat with that lady, it's irresponsible to knowing sell a fish falsely or not knowing what you are selling to people.

That sucks! I only agreed to take them to add some colour to my tank! I gave her one of my large algae eaters and 2 tiger barbs(they swim funny) plus a little platy. Oh well. I'm hoping to upgrade in a month or so anyways and plan on stocking it properly

 

[Magikalgirl79]

They should already be showing their emerging adult colors at 3-5 months.

So should be soon then I hope!

 

[garfy]

I agree with Mogurako they look weak colours.Go and speak with the lady and see what you can do.

 

[Magikalgirl79]

Thanks so much for all your advice I really appreciate it

 

[garfy]

Hey no problem