Master of disguise Mbuna

[four_by_ken]

I have never had a fish change color so drastically, ever.  I really need to get some pictures of this all happening.

I don’t remember what we originally bought this Mbuna as.  But, it looked like a Rusty with stripes.

Then as it grew, it lost its stripes and now looked exactly like the Rusty that we had.  Also at this time, we found out the Rusty was a female and not a male.

So, we had a pair… wasn’t looking for that, but no big deal.

Then we got a Hongi Red Top and it changed to look exactly like the Red Top.  Body turned blueish and got the red/orange fins on the top, etc.  Wow!  Looks completely different now.  Cool, I like this better.

It will still fade, but has kept the look of the Red Top.

Now last night, he started to compete (like he always does) with the Albino Mbuna for the Female Rusty’s attention.  And, what do you know… he turned white!  Not only did he turn white, but his top fins lost half their orange to look exactly like the Albino!  And it was instant, looked like a new fish in the tank.

Then when the competition ended… back to looking like a red top.  Purple/blue body and orange fins.

[four_by_ken]

OK, so I noticed no comments.

Does this mean that this post just shows my inexperience with Mbuna and this kind of thing happens all the time?  Or you all think I am crazy and are just letting me be. 

 

[linuxrulesusa]

Personally I have no idea.    Just thought you'd like a response.

[four_by_ken]

Personally I have no idea.    Just thought you'd like a response.

Thanks.
 

[linuxrulesusa]

Here's some articles that indicate it might be fairly common:

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/cichlids/color-changing-mbuna-22382/

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=14&cad=rja&ved=0CEsQFjADOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnembwe.com%2Fcichlids-2%2Fmalawian-cichlid-profiles&ei=5U43Ue7XEKjhyQGG6YG4Bg&usg=AFQjCNEuqKRrp-WMufCdAEKirZiwTb-rBg&sig2=8zGjKltbimU9Rd09uTc2cw&bvm=bv.43287494,d.aWc

Also not the same species but cool pics of the color change a fish goes through when maturing:

http://www.african-cichlid.com/Saulosi.htm

[Regalblue]

Mbambas & Hongi change back & forth pretty quick,  IME

[SKISWETPETS]

My Pseudo Polit Male is able to completely change, semingly instantly... Its really a cool thing...

[four_by_ken]

This was pretty cool.  I keep watching to see if it happens again.

I think the last time was right after a water change.  So, we will see tonight.  I'll have my phone ready.