Green terrors

[Gershom]

I got these young hooligans a month or so ago, and they are coloring up beautifully. But why are they so different?? They maintain these colors; it isn’t just a brief emotional response.
The light colored one is dominant, but most of the time they get along—no real bullying.

 

[Deadeye]

The darker one is showing those colors as a stress response. I don’t think they get along as well as you think they do.

 

[Gershom]

Yeah, I guess you’re right…. I was hoping for a more interesting explanation.

 

[Jexnell]

I am thinking is more of a male female deal.
Male Andinoacara Rivilatus (Green Terror) have bright markings in the unpaired fins. This is your light colored one.
This is a male I had as an example

The darker one is female as it has no bright markings in the unpaired fins.
A female I had as an example


The females belly looks to be rather round possibly full of eggs. She may be trying to present to him that she is ready.

 

[troublesum]

I think i'm with Deadeye on this one i have kept GTs in the long time past both of those fish have a lot of worming in the cheeks which leads me to believe males

 

[Milingu]

The worming on the cheeks says nothing for green terrors. Females can even have more worming than males.

 

[newworld]

Looks like a pair..

 

[Gershom]

They are probably too young? for spawning. Only about 2.5-3 inches. I don’t have much experience with the species, but they seem young.

 

[Gershom]

I’m really surprised now—they are showing pre-spawning behavior! They are cleaning a plastic plant leaf and moving gravel…. I never imagined they could be mature enough, but I guess so. At 3 inches?!

 

[Gershom]

But that doesn’t mean Deadeye is wrong—it must be stressful for a girl knowing she’s about to lose her virginity….