TURQUOISE jewel cichlid!

[TigerTalon1]

I cant answer any of the questions but he looks very much like one of mine. Couldn’t get any good pictures but he is as blue as yours in the right light.

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What were these labeled as when you purchased them?

 

[cesc776]

What were these labeled as when you purchased them?

They were labeled Jewel cichlid (Hemichromis lifalili) but they were really small when I got them and now I’m not sure they are Lifalili. It is only one of them that are turquoise though. The other four are more ”normal”.

 

[TigerTalon1]

Interesting red jewels will only turn red during breeding, maybe yours will turn red once they pair off... Or maybe your/ still have the submssive colors... Are they the only cichlids in the aquarium?[/QUOTE]

 

[TigerTalon1]

Just found some additional information that suggests that these turquoise jewels are line bred not a separate species.

 

[cesc776]

Interesting red jewels will only turn red during breeding, maybe yours will turn red once they pair off... Or maybe your/ still have the submssive colors... Are they the only cichlids in the aquarium?

[/QUOTE]
No, there are 3 others above him in pecking order in a 100 gallon. But he is top of the jewels.

 

[TigerTalon1]

No, there are 3 others above him in pecking order in a 100 gallon. But he is top of the jewels.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah so then he must be exhibiting sub dominant colors, but I bet you if they started breeding they’ll
Turn red.

 

[cesc776]

No, there are 3 others above him in pecking order in a 100 gallon. But he is top of the jewels.

Yeah so then he must be exhibiting sub dominant colors, but I bet you if they started breeding they’ll
Turn red.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, thats what I’m hoping for. No signs of them pairing up yet though. I’m not sure when they start doing that. The biggest ones are 2 1/2 inch.

 

[TigerTalon1]

Update: His color has only gotten better as soon as I put a new female red jewel floating his colors fired up. Have a look

 

[cesc776]

Update: His color has only gotten better as soon as I put a new female red jewel floating his colors fired up. Have a look

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Looking great!
How did you know it was a female you added? How do you tell male/female apart?

 

[Matteus]

I cant answer any of the questions but he looks very much like one of mine. Couldn’t get any good pictures but he is as blue as yours in the right light.

View attachment 1363444

Wow that’s outstanding