Geophagus "Red Hump" Eartheater Color Change

[Long Island Fish Guy]

2 things:

1. Can anyone tell the sex of this fish? I was told by the guy in my pet store he's a male. He said a very prominent red color on his head in the dark scenery in the store. It's definitely not as red in my bright aquarium. Upon further research, I'm 50/50 on the sex.

2. These pics were about 30 seconds apart. He changes colors quickly and often. Is this normal? Why is he changing so quickly? That black stripe is sometimes so prominent, but other times it is invisible.

 

[tlindsey]

2 things:

1. Can anyone tell the sex of this fish? I was told by the guy in my pet store he's a male. He said a very prominent red color on his head in the dark scenery in the store. It's definitely not as red in my bright aquarium. Upon further research, I'm 50/50 on the sex.

2. These pics were about 30 seconds apart. He changes colors quickly and often. Is this normal? Why is he changing so quickly? That black stripe is sometimes so prominent, but other times it is invisible.

View attachment 1244326

View attachment 1244327

Give Geo Red hump a little time to acclimate to its new environment.

 

[lunsforj]

The irreverent scales starting to appear in its sides point to male.

 

[lunsforj]

Ugh... iridescent

 

[newworld]

Female they are normally sexable by 2"..

 

[Long Island Fish Guy]

Another reason why I think it's a make, he has the orange spots on both sides of his mouth. Very small right now though.

This fish is about 3inches.

 

[neutrino]

I haven't kept red humps, but a number of cichlid species can change colors according to mood, lighting, time of day, communication with other fish, etc. So, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[duanes]

When my "red hump" Geo's matured, the males (beside becoming brighter and more colorful) developed a very much steeper profile than females, with the beginnings of a nuchal hump.
Subordinate males to the alpha, would remain female like, and almost indistinguishable from the females.
Here is what my males looked like (but not my photo.

 

[RD.]

Agreed, does not look like male by those 2 pics. For 3" steinie it looks female.

Male in one of my tanks ......

 

[Long Island Fish Guy]

I will try to post a front profile of the fish tonight when I get home. I know the females typically show no signs of a red hump. This fish somewhat does.

It was in a tank with NUMEROUS Red Humps and this was no doubt the alpha. Showed tons of aggression and best color. It's been in my tank for 6 days and is with other SA cichlids. Keeps getting chased by my tiny Firemouth, other than that, he's left alone.

Like I said, it's color changed dramatically. I'm assuming it's because of my light tank setup. Most of my fish display paler/brighter colors when the light is on. They look like different fish with the light off!