Color change and aggression

[Azurrazor]

Hi.

1. Has any of you noticed a pattern of when and why apsitos change their black color markings (chromatophores)? I find this very interesting. The two pictures below are tanken a few weeks apart, and show well how my male macmasteri turns his black "on and off". Especially the dot by his caudal fin can disappear completely and then suddenly it's back.


2. I dared try Bolivian ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus altospinosus) with my Apistogramma macmasteri, and my Apisto was not happy. Aggression and fin nipping, so I swiftly rehomed the Bolivian. All other fish are ok, same size or smaller. Are they too closely related, is that it? I was surprised to see my Apisto suddenly turn aggressive.

 

[Mike Wise]

Your apisto is a cichlid. Like most cichlids it is territorial and does not want another cichlid in its territory. As you have seen cichlids can change color patterns quite rapidly. Most cichlids - including apistos - are visually oriented and use it to express themselves.