convict coloration

[brian1973]

I bought 5 small cons yesterday, 2m 3f, my goal is for them to pair off and breed for a safe live food source for my oscars, I have found them to be quite entertaining, I have one male that was very dark, almost black, last night he was about the same "normal" color like the others..tonight he has staked out a territory and is once again very dark..is there any signifigance to the dark coloring?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I always found my convicts used to go light when stressed, so i'd say its just a warning of dominance for the others. Some species of CA or SA cichlids will turn jet black when in "breeding mode".

 

[brian1973]

I wasnt sure when they reached sexual maturity..they are only about an inch or so long but can clearly tell the difference in sex.

 

[brian1973]

Ok I definately have 1pr formed..very tight pair..chasing all the others keeping the others in the top half of the tank...I have another loose pair as well..looks like i am going to move the other 3 to the 24G.