Ive been documenting images of the changing process of my Female Melanochromis Auratus, and thought it would be a good thread to provide information on what the change process looks like to those who have never seen it, and have questions.
The Melanochromis Auratus is one of the few African Cichlids which is cabable of changing its colors to its environment. Listed as a Dimorphic species (males and females show different coloration) by scientists, I feel is somewhat debatable and could possibly be also known as Monomorphic (NO difference in male or female coloration), as a male can retain his juvenile/or female color as protection from a dominant territorial male. Females on the other hand, in an all female, or no male environment can also don the male's coloration to establish her dominance. My argument for the Auratus being considered Monomorphic relies on the fact that its not a male/female difference, but more of a dominance related change, as I have witnessed personally a changed female holding. I feel the only true method of being certain which sex of the Auratus is being kept is by the venting method, which of course cannot be changed by these fish.
Below are examples of a verified female taking on male colors. The female shown below has NO male present in the tank and is also the only Auratus, she is around a year and a half old, nearly 4" in length which is the believed max size of the M. Auratus.
Female in "yellow" dress
Female showing early signs of change
Female change nearly completed
The Melanochromis Auratus is one of the few African Cichlids which is cabable of changing its colors to its environment. Listed as a Dimorphic species (males and females show different coloration) by scientists, I feel is somewhat debatable and could possibly be also known as Monomorphic (NO difference in male or female coloration), as a male can retain his juvenile/or female color as protection from a dominant territorial male. Females on the other hand, in an all female, or no male environment can also don the male's coloration to establish her dominance. My argument for the Auratus being considered Monomorphic relies on the fact that its not a male/female difference, but more of a dominance related change, as I have witnessed personally a changed female holding. I feel the only true method of being certain which sex of the Auratus is being kept is by the venting method, which of course cannot be changed by these fish.
Below are examples of a verified female taking on male colors. The female shown below has NO male present in the tank and is also the only Auratus, she is around a year and a half old, nearly 4" in length which is the believed max size of the M. Auratus.
Female in "yellow" dress
Female showing early signs of change
Female change nearly completed
