Big and bright!

[bikehead90]

So I am new-ish to cichlids, and have a 50g of Africans. They all have decent color, but what can I do to really make it pop? I Alternate feeding them Cobalt spirnula and x-treme pellets. I'm trying to get them big and colorful safely. Is there anything I'm missing?

[Ron]

You made no mention of lighting. Better lighting might help them look better

Patience may also help too. 

[bikehead90]

I was thinking the lighting, but at the same time I got them all when they were juveniles. So as a rough estimate, around when should I expect color, I guess that's would have been the better question. 

[Bremmon]

Time and patience, Most fish will not get super color until they are well into adulthood. Even then, some never will. Lots of females will help speed this process up as well, but then you have a tank full of ugly brown and grey fish anyway. Good lights are essential..  5500k White Led's with some blue/red mixed in will make your fish look amazing.

[Marty]

I was thinking the lighting, but at the same time I got them all when they were juveniles. So as a rough estimate, around when should I expect color, I guess that's would have been the better question.

Unless you have a slower growing species, you'll typically see really good color at one year old.  I have had colors start showing on juveniles that are 2-2.5", it varies from fish to fish and tank to tank.  Good diet, good water quality from good filtration and frequent water changes, good lighting, and adequate tank space for the number of fish you have can all be factors in how healthy your fish are.

[four_by_ken]

Time... takes time for them to color up.


After that... the lighting makes a HUGE difference in how they look.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Try the Garlic and Paprika color enhancer pellets from Best Flake:

http://bestflake.com/aquatics/

This is the food that Wet Thumb sold, it really makes the color pop...

[four_by_ken]

I have yet to notice the type of food we feed make a difference in the color of the fish.

Happy fish are colorful fish.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I have yet to notice the type of food we feed make a difference in the color of the fish.

Happy fish are colorful fish.

So when you eat out, it makes no difference what or where you eat ?  Like for instance - a White Castle vs a Morton's steak

Or Long John Silvers vs McCormick & Schmidt ?

How about McDonalds vs Red Coat Tavern?

HUM.... you must be really happy then   

[four_by_ken]

I have yet to notice the type of food we feed make a difference in the color of the fish.

Happy fish are colorful fish.

So when you eat out, it makes no difference what or where you eat ?  Like for instance - a White Castle vs a Morton's steak

Or Long John Silvers vs McCormick & Schmidt ?

How about McDonalds vs Red Coat Tavern?

HUM.... you must be really happy then   

I dont change colors when I eat different food.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

I have yet to notice the type of food we feed make a difference in the color of the fish.

Happy fish are colorful fish.

So when you eat out, it makes no difference what or where you eat ?  Like for instance - a White Castle vs a Morton's steak

Or Long John Silvers vs McCormick & Schmidt ?

How about McDonalds vs Red Coat Tavern?

HUM.... you must be really happy then   

I dont change colors when I eat different food.

Touche !   but a fish doesn't smile either!   But they do show their colors ! 

[Mastiffman]

Unless you have a slower growing species, you'll typically see really good color at one year old.  I have had colors start showing on juveniles that are 2-2.5", it varies from fish to fish and tank to tank.  Good diet, good water quality from good filtration and frequent water changes, good lighting, and adequate tank space for the number of fish you have can all be factors in how healthy your fish are.

 I agree. A Biggie is over exposure to nitrates and GIH (Growth Inhibiting Hormones) Both of these will hinder growth and color. But even a couple of weeks in pristine water will change that. Water hardness can affect the fishes color as well.

 Their color is caused by what are called Chromatophores which are affected by a whole host of things. 

[bikehead90]

Thanks everyone. I guess the moral of the story is keep 'em healthy, and they'll do their thing.

[Regalblue]

Thanks everyone. I guess the moral of the story is keep 'em healthy, and they'll do their thing.

Basically,  Yes.  Although genes play a big part in it also.   Bred out farm strains will look like crap compared to F1 or something that has been selectively bred.