Juvenile Auratus

[ajw8071]

I have a juvenile Auratus Cichlid that when the lights are on becomes a fairly pale color and when the lights go out the colors return to the standard bright female/juvenile coloration. Is there any particular reason for this? The water parameters are fine. It has claimed its own little patch of territory, isnt bullied, is very active and eating well.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Probably just a little stress. Does it do this if you fade the light in? Fish in the wild are not subject to immediate light from dark. Its a gradual thing. Some fish get stressed out until they get used to it. Thats my bet at least

 

[ajw8071]

I try to turn the room light on first for 10 minutes then turn the overhead on, it's not a completely gradual change but he/she still assumes the pale coloration for the day