Rainbow cichlid colour

[brownslug01]

Hi first post on here i recently bought a single rainbow cichlid had him for about a week he seems fine eating actively swimming but his colour seems way off isn’t he supposed to be yellow will he colour up eventually or is this something to be concerned about hes in a 55 gallon established tank with an angel and a couple of Bolivian rams and 6 phantom tetras

 

[Andy Sager]

No, Rainbow Cichlids are not typically all yellow. One of the things with cichlids is that they change colors for a variety of reasons. It could be mood, pre spawning, spawning, sickness, aggression, being a victim, etc. What has happened over time of domesticated breeding is that the fish are not always bred for colors but for, for example, size, health, spawning size, specific colors or temperament so you may not always get fish that looks like their wild counterpart. If the fish is eating, that's always a good sign he's happy. Sick or unhappy fish do not usually want to eat eagerly.

 

[brownslug01]

Thank you for that also i would like to try and breed these I only have one at the momment and Im not sure if I have a male or a female does anyone have any idea I haven’t a clue

 

[Andy Sager]

Based on the pointed dorsal fin, I'd say you have a male. When you look for a female, make sure she is smaller than this fish and her dorsal fin is not as long or pointed and the ventral fins are short. There are some good shots at the fin differences between males and females in this video: Google Search

Hope this helps.

 

[brownslug01]

Thank you for that ille have a look if I can find him a female

 

[V227]

Your male Rainbow will likely color up upon adding a female.

Unlike most Central American Cichlids, Rainbow Cichlids actually do better in conspecific groups.

 

[brownslug01]

Update you were right i added what I presume is a female smaller rounded fins and he instantly coloured up they are following each other all around the tank think he’s happy

 

[Andy Sager]

Just an FYI, they may get a little aggressive towards each other and their tank mates when they get ready to spawn. With each other is about testing the vitality of a spawning partner. Against the tankmates is to protect a spawning site, then the eggs. Thankfully, Rainbows tend to be less aggressive, even with protecting, than other cichlids. If you can put a divider in the tank to isolate them from the other fish when they are prepping to spawn, that too will bring harmony in the tank.

 

[brownslug01]

Thanks for that i will keep my eye on them would you say I definitely have a male and female then from what I’ve read and pictures ive seen it looks like it

 

[Andy Sager]

Thanks for that i will keep my eye on them would you say I definitely have a male and female then from what I’ve read and pictures ive seen it looks like it

Looks like it to me as well. Time will tell tho. Give them about a month together and if you get no spawns, you may need to better condition them for spawning. You can do this by feeding them more high frozen protein foods ( i.e. Black worms, shrimps/prawns, Fish and fish eggs) along with some vegetable matter and foods like Brine Shrimp to keep them " regular" . After a couple weeks of good high protein foods, do a water change with some cooler water and that should spark them to spawn.

 

[brownslug01]

Thank you very much for the info i will update if get any spawns

 

[Andy Sager]

Thank you very much for the info i will update if get any spawns

Please do. I always like talking fry since my hatchery closed. LOL