Well her name is bob lol and I really hope she doesn’t stay so plain, I actually like the looks of her darker now that she is healing up. She is so young so I don’t think it’s breeding dress. I think she just doesn’t like me because I moved her twice. Lol
Green Severum color change
- Thread starter Nikkijas
- Start date
Heros will go into breeding dress at 3 - 4”. Females mature fairly early. Here are some of mine, not even 3”, showing pairing behavior.
If it’s a female, she’ll likely remain similarly colored to what she is now. Female severums don’t really have much in the way of pattern or color — they tend to be solid-colored fish.
If it’s a female, she’ll likely remain similarly colored to what she is now. Female severums don’t really have much in the way of pattern or color — they tend to be solid-colored fish.
Ok I am learning so much about this fish and she is beautiful. I am confused though she only turns dark when she hides, like she will go by the HOB ( crappy but just grow out tank) and it is black so she turns dark green/black also when she goes into the driftwood leaning on the side of the tank and I can’t even see her. I have never seen her swim around dark or with any markings. So I guess is she going to be dark or pale? I am going to go try to get a video of her doing this.
He/she may also be still be somewhat stressed, so you may not yet be seeing it's I'm feeling confident, I'm feeling good colors. The color change with mood thing is common to a lot of cichlids, not just severums, and the behavior and reasons can be subtle and complex. Going dark when hiding can be a form of camouflage-- I'm hiding in the shadows, so I'll go dark. The same fish that's light in one tank can go dark in another or vice versa, depending on tankmates, comfort level, status in a group, etc. Individuals can also vary in their reactions, with color reflecting temperament, hormone levels, breeding status... the list goes on. It can be a form of communication: I'm bad, don't mess with me, I'm interested in romance, I'm not interested, etc. and can also include reactions to what happens outside the tank-- I'm comfortable with you or used to seeing you around the tank, I recognize you as the guy who feeds me... or I don't know you and you're making me nervous. Severums can be quite interested or observant of their surroundings outside the tank ime.
There's been studies of different temperaments in fish, including extraverted vs. introverted fish, so moods and individuals can differ, or hormone levels differ for various reasons. So, as I say, it can be subtle and complex and what you pick up on with a particular fish may depend on its temperament, circumstances in your tank, your powers of observation or opportunity to observe. So what I'm saying can seem a bit anthropomorphic, until you've spent enough time watching their reactions and behavior.
Another aspect most people miss is that many fish see (and display) in ultraviolet, so we're not always even seeing the whole picture.
There's been studies of different temperaments in fish, including extraverted vs. introverted fish, so moods and individuals can differ, or hormone levels differ for various reasons. So, as I say, it can be subtle and complex and what you pick up on with a particular fish may depend on its temperament, circumstances in your tank, your powers of observation or opportunity to observe. So what I'm saying can seem a bit anthropomorphic, until you've spent enough time watching their reactions and behavior.
Another aspect most people miss is that many fish see (and display) in ultraviolet, so we're not always even seeing the whole picture.
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I was watching him or her for awhile tonight and I think she is blending in with the color of the wall behind the tank. It is a light greenish color plus I don’t believe she is totally comfortable with me yet. I am happy to see her swimming around because before she was just hiding and getting harassed by a juvenile firemouth so I moved her to this tank. I think I am going to put a large piece of construction paper behind the aquarium and see if her color changes. That could be a possibility right? I have done research but I am sure it doesn’t sound like it lol all new to me. I had dwarf gouramis and Cory cats fish like that, these IMO are more complex. Plus I am impatient and want it to be happy and healthy. All I do know is I love this fish and I can’t wait to put her in the 210 gallon
True. Lighting, and background or substrate being light or dark can also affect color, or simply how they show up in your tank. Fish adapt to various lighting setups, but while most of us tend to brightly light our tanks, a number of species would normally try and stay in the shade in nature. So bright lights, light background, bright substrate (or no substrate), little or no shade from driftwood or plants might be standard for some people, but it wouldn't be natural for some of their fish.
Mine constantly changes color. I added some pictures which were all taken within an hour of each other. I could be wrong, but I I'm not sure yours is a true Heros Efasciatus (green severum). It looks like some kind of mix or line bred variant. Its weird to me that it isn't displaying any banding. I also disagree on the sexing. Its too small and the coloration isn't displayed enough to make an educated guess on its sex in my opinion. Gun to my head I would guess female
I guess I just have to wait until it grows up and just continue watching it and see what happens. I put a large piece of black construction paper behind the tank to see if it changes from light to dark while swimming. I will have to deal with not knowing what it is dark pale male or female Green Severum or something else lol I will just say it’s a juvenile severum. Thank you all for helping I appreciate it
