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The color change is normal and to be expected. It's due to the change in environment and tank mates.

They can more than just hurt each other in territory fights, they can and often will kill each other.

African Cichlids are great fish and very cool to watch. I would really strongly suggest you buy a book specifically about keeping African Cichlids. There is a lot to know abut them and you can't always get the answers you need from shops or a web site. Buy a book, read it through and then you will be in much better shape for keeping these great fish.

MM

Is it a lelupi? They are known to change colors within a yellow/orange/brown range. Many fish change colors with maturity but it can also be a sign of stress or disease. What type of fish is it?

As far as being territorial: what type of Africans do you have? Each type of AC has different requirements and personalities. This will even vary fish to fish. I have a Jack Dempsey that is supposed to be a mean, territorial, yet skittish fish: hiding from people etc. I hand feed him and he has a blood parrot bossing him around the tank. So personalities play a big role.

African cichlids are unique in many ways. One is what you are seeing. The brightest colors of the same type are the dominant "Alpha" males. Colors change dramatically with the "current sexual status" of the individual. Current???? See below...

So what make this different.... Well all of them carry both male and female organs??? Yes, it is true. However only one set is "active" at one time. OR none are active at all in the individuals. You will eventually end up with one very colorful Male and one female that will usually be much larger than the other neuter or other female fish. So, one dominant male and one dominant female. The rest will just hang out till something causes one set of their organs to wake up. Then you will see real fighting etc for the dominant position.

Ok, so what happens if the previously dominant male or female loses the battle.... well, their reproductive organs will stop, color and aggression will subside and there will be a new boss on the block.

It is possible to have more than one mating pair in one tank. You will need lots of rocks etc for hiding/breeding etc.

Can a previously dominant male or female completely switch sexes and either lays eggs or fertilize them,,,,Yup... Very odd fish ...

So how do you get a successful Ciclid tank??... That is the question you want answered... Most "fist stores" don't have clue. They just list them as "aggressive"

As you know these can be very expensive.

Your water conditions are Very Important.... Be safe put about one pound of crushed coral per gallon. You can't have too much, but at least one pound per gallon. That will maintain the proper water hardness without adding chemicals.

Get some "dither fish" there are many kinds. Dither are not a particular fish they are fish you do not expect to live. Their purpose is to keep the territorial lines the cichlids want to make very blurry. They just swim all over oblivious to the territorials musings of the cichlids. Giant Danios are great, but any plain cheap fresh water, fast swimming fish will do. They won't die off fast but are there to limit the aggression between the cichlids.

Don't over feed your fish.....

Get a GOOD test kit. Test for ammonia, PH, nitrates etc. Ammonia is poison at any level.

A well establish tank can be destroyed within days because of ammonia from the fish waste, rotting food etc.

Lot of air bubbles, Lots of MOTION at the water surface. That keeps the trapped gases in the water moving out through the bubbles. The motion insures a steady supply of fresh oxygen to the water. A motionless surface is the mark of a tank headed for catastrophe.

Ok, so what else do you need to not have mass death and destruction in this. Good Neighbors.... !!

MBUNA's and Zebras are nice to look at, but not in one tank. Unless it is VERY large. At least a 65 gallon breeder tank.

Typically the pet store will have one tank labled "mixed cichlids". They are always babies, always cheap and always a bad choice. Unless you are VERY good at picking them out. Just go with choices from more specialized tanks. Choose young in lots of 3 each. At least one will die pretty quickly (not always, but it is common). By then the others will have sorted themselves sexually.

So why 3???? if one is way more aggressive, it give the weaker one a break if the mean one has a distraction. A better chance for all three to survive. Otherwise one will die and you will only have the one and no potential mate for it. Adding new individuals to and established tank can be a bit dicey. So choose wisely in the beginning as best you can.

Having said all that... Africans are fascinating. I have had a 65 gallon breeder tanks for over 20 years. I have made all the mistakes. Killed off great fish or just took it all apart and started over to make changes, but stayed with the Africans.

Plecos do well in most African tanks.

Do not mix africans with South American cichlids..... BAD, BAD, BAD.....

Have fun, don't fret over any of this..... weekly water changes of no more than 10%. Unless you get a positive on your ammonia water test..... Then 50% immediately everyday for 3 days.... OK>>>

Regards,

Ray