Firemouth Losing Color

Matt_1313 · 02-11-2006, 10:46 AM

I have a 3" firemouth that was alone with a convict cichlid of about the same size in a 29 gallon tank until recently when they began to fight. I separated them with a divider for a couple weeks before moving the convict to a different tank. since that time the firemouth has lost most of his reddish color under his mouth and throat. i have been changing the water just as frequently as always and have been feeding krill along with pellets, just like before. His fins still have bright metalic sparkles and they are always fully erect and beautiful. he also seems to swim around more often than before when the other fish was in there, so i thought it was a little weird when the color dissapeared. it used to be very bright red, but now is a duller orange-ish red. My thought was that maybe with no competition the extra vibrant colors were just uneeded, so i tried adding some zebra danios for him to chase around and for dithers, but he mostly just ignores them and still has dull red. i put a couple zebras in with the convict too, but she ate all of them. my water parameters are exactly the same so if anyone has any ideas what else it could be let me know....thanks
Matt

**Cichlid Man** · 02-11-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt_1313

My thought was that maybe with no competition the extra vibrant colors were just uneeded,

You've just answered your own question. If you miss that bright red throat, get your firemouth a mate.

Matt_1313 · 02-11-2006, 01:37 PM

i think mine is a male but its awefully hard to sex them. is it important that the other one is the opposite sex?

**Cichlid Man** · 02-12-2006, 04:53 AM

Yep, otherwise they'll kill each other. Even fish of the oppisite sex will kill each other, so you have to be careful and keep an eye on them.

02-11-2006, 10:46 AM	#1
Matt_1313 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 57 User Feedback: (0)	Firemouth Losing Color I have a 3" firemouth that was alone with a convict cichlid of about the same size in a 29 gallon tank until recently when they began to fight. I separated them with a divider for a couple weeks before moving the convict to a different tank. since that time the firemouth has lost most of his reddish color under his mouth and throat. i have been changing the water just as frequently as always and have been feeding krill along with pellets, just like before. His fins still have bright metalic sparkles and they are always fully erect and beautiful. he also seems to swim around more often than before when the other fish was in there, so i thought it was a little weird when the color dissapeared. it used to be very bright red, but now is a duller orange-ish red. My thought was that maybe with no competition the extra vibrant colors were just uneeded, so i tried adding some zebra danios for him to chase around and for dithers, but he mostly just ignores them and still has dull red. i put a couple zebras in with the convict too, but she ate all of them. my water parameters are exactly the same so if anyone has any ideas what else it could be let me know....thanks Matt

02-12-2006, 04:53 AM	#4
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100 User Feedback: (0)	Yep, otherwise they'll kill each other. Even fish of the oppisite sex will kill each other, so you have to be careful and keep an eye on them. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Odd Color?	DarkArtist	Bettas	8	01-23-2006 10:09 PM
color of gravel	wingedjumper517	General Freshwater	19	04-12-2005 02:28 PM
HOw long before you see color?	ravekiss	Livebearers	8	02-22-2005 11:10 AM
Best Color Enhancer Flakes?	CincyCichlids	General Freshwater	5	02-12-2005 07:30 PM
Color Injected Tetras?	83turboranger	Beginner Freshwater	7	01-25-2005 03:56 PM

Members currently in the Chat:0
	Users In Chat Room: There are several users in chat now! Don't Be Shy - click here and come on in!

02-11-2006, 01:37 PM	#3
Matt_1313 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 57 User Feedback: (0)	i think mine is a male but its awefully hard to sex them. is it important that the other one is the opposite sex?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)