Does an Ornate Julie's body loose vibrancy over time?

tangy

This isn't much of an emergency so I figure stay outta disease forum. Excuse me if it sounds like one tho.

Im a tad curious tho. Over a long stretch of time mine has gone from a beautiful black and white stripe top halve and a bright golden bottom to a drab black and white striped body with a dirty sorta look. Healthy and active, none of the other fish show any signs of discoloration like this either. I observe the tank all the time, can't spot any wild behavior.

I have seen this happen to many at lfs's as well, is this natural in cichlids like the Ornate Julie?

tangy

Ok, sorry for not adding these before. I couldn't find my MicroMate, but I have now. (yay!)

This was some months ago in his favorite little cave.


This one was taken mid July or so during tank maintenance. Still natural.


Since then the body has been loosing vibrancy over time. This not-so very good picture was taken last night before feeding. As you can see his fins remain true to their original color and are extremely virbrant and healthy(especially its pelvic fins. God they're gorgeous). His body, however, has lost alot of its luster. The golden belly is gone, revealing a faded black stripe. What's left of the yellow belly is fading out over time.


The aquarium is healthy, water parameters are normal, staple diet and feeds normally, and no signs of aggression in the tank or color loss in any others like this fellow. Other than this issue, he seems be swim about the tank as healthy and active as ever. It remains one of my favorites in the tank, it's personality is outstanding compared to the rest.

Im just curious as to why this happens and what causes it if anyone knows? I have seen so many go about the same thing, natural or problem?

willow

hay orange :)
did you find out the answer at all ?
looks strange to me.

MoneyMitch

dude PM ME if you find out what happend cause i have a electric blue johanni that has the same thing going on

mollies

Tangy you have got a male. They change to a blackish blue color. The females and juvies stay the color of the first pic. I will find the web sight i just found today that will explane better. An Money yours is the same thing. I will post the web tomorrow.

mollies

Ok Tangy i had to find it tonite. LOL Your fish is called Auratus. (Melanochromis auratus) ..... And Money your fish i believe is Maingano. (Melanochromis Cyaneorhabdos) or Chipokae (Melanochromis Chipokae) ....... Ok the web is livefishdirect.com dont know if thats ok to post. But there you go. I hope that helps you guy.

tangy

Great! Never did read up in-depth about this till now and I feel so silly for it.

Seems they are generally born with vibrant colors and males lose it anywhere from 6-8 months. It varies all over so I will just go ahead and post the lowest and highest I have seen, somewhere inbetween is your medium depending on whatever other males or fish are in your tank. Even it's true black coating is looking a tad drab tho, that is said to be easily cured by increasing the quality of the diet I offer so that's on top of my agenda atm.

Ty.

MoneyMitch

Thanks for the info guys helps explain alot, now seems that my yellows are doing the same thing.

willow

dunno why i love it here so much

money......is the yellow getting black under it's chin ? if so it's a male.