Hongi island keepers, question about coloring.

[squirrilah fish]

I got this fish yesterday, ( I have been expanding my tanks and switching stock around, hence all the posts) and from what I know it's a male, although it is displaying femalesc colors. I know that Juveniles will display sub dominant colors. My question, is this how most juveniles look? I'm very happy with the yellow, although I would like the sky blue body to come in. Is this normal? Do I have a bad strain? Should I expect it to stay purple? Or will it lighten up, show more blue, as it matures. I have no experience with this fish, and google hasn't been able to answer these questions. It's about an inch and a half right now.

 

[squirrilah fish]

If anyone checks this, and wants to know the answer, yes this is normal. He started showing that white/sky blue coloring last night. It's amazing how much their colors can change, went from brown/purple to white/blue, then back again. Will try to get some pics. Really good looking fish.

 

[squirrilah fish]

Colored up, they change colors really fast.

 

[snowman17]

Yea my guy changes his color up pretty quick wish he was more dominant so he always show good color but my ice blue keeps him colored down unless he flares up at another fish.

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[squirrilah fish]

Yea my guy changes his color up pretty quick wish he was more dominant so he always show good color but my ice blue keeps him colored down unless he flares up at another fish.

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It's quite amazing how fast they change. I'll pull the camera out, and it's gone.

 

[mscherer63]

What is it? It's beautiful

 

[squirrilah fish]

Hongi Island Cichlid.

 

[squirrilah fish]

He's tiny right now too, only like 2"

 

[Cecil2010]

Here is a pic of mine as a reference.

 

[squirrilah fish]

Wow! I love all the yellow. How big is that one ?

 

[Cecil2010]

In that pic it's about an inch and a half. It's about three and a half now but it's not dominate so it's not very colorful anymore

 

[squirrilah fish]

What kind of tank mates do you have?
Mines one of my smallest fish, but the only other Mbuna is a Snow White. The rest are Haps, and Peacocks. He's colored up pretty regularly now.

 

[snowman17]

My guy

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[squirrilah fish]

My guy

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Even subdominant still a way good lookin fish.

 

[Cecil2010]

What kind of tank mates do you have?
Mines one of my smallest fish, but the only other Mbuna is a Snow White. The rest are Haps, and Peacocks. He's colored up pretty regularly now.

I have a mix of mbuna, haps, and peacocks as well.