Zebra Obliquidens

[JL15219]

I have a question I have three zebra obliquidens...1 male and 2 females. What my question is why have they not gotten there colors(male) or strips they are just a solid goldish color...:confused:

[JL15219]

Anybody?

[ibr3ak]

Could you post pics? Are you sure they're zebra obliquidens and not something else?

[JL15219]

I am pretty sure they are? I dont have a camera, just a camera on my I will try to post some..

[JL15219]

Not the best pics but here they are:
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m112/AL420_420/ob3.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m112/AL420_420/ob2.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m112/AL420_420/Obliquids.jpg

[ibr3ak]

how big are they?

[JL15219]

about 3 to 3.5 in (the pics are of the same fish a male i believe)

[JL15219]

So does anyone have a clue?

[JL15219]

So I guess its safe to say that no one knows why...

[ibr3ak]

I've never kept any victorian, but my thinking was (when I asked the questions) was either it wasn't a zebra obliquidens (which obviously it is) or that it was still a juvie and hasn't shown its adult colors (but at 3"+ I'd expect it to if not fully then at least partially color up, including showing the dark black barring, as I see 1.5" zebra obliquidens at my lfs all the time that are fully displaying already).

I see that you have a cory in with it, what other fish do you have in that tank and also what are the water parameters (ph, gh, kh, etc..)?

[JL15219]

Aulonocara stuartgranti (Ngara) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=685)
Aulonocara (Rubescens) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1311)
Cynotilapia afra (Jalo Reef) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1733)
C. afra (White Top)
Cyrtocara moorii (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1061)
Metriaclima greshakei (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=794)
Metriaclima estherae (Red) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1730)
Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1460)
Copadichromis azureus (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1008)
Pseudotropheus socolofi (Albino) (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1786)
and the cories which i am going to give away.
BN plecos

pH 7.9
kh 17

[FL22]

I'm wondering if you have the albino species.

[JL15219]

I dont think I do...I didnt even know there was an albino version...when they chase each other there stripes become a little darker..

[JL15219]

Do you have any pics of the albino version

[FL22]

47638

This is the best picture I could find.

[JL15219]

Thats a nice fish but they really dont look like that...huh?

[mozart]

How long have you had them? When I bought my ram s/he was as pale as a ghost and stayed near that pale while in QT. I wasn't even sure if it was a Bolivian ram. After it went into the main tank it gradually developed lovely color and the usual spots and lines. Overall it took a month before it started to get decent color. It seems to still be getting more color, and I've had it a few months now. Hope yours colors up as well!

[JL15219]

The male I had for a month and the females about 2 weeks

[tnoutlaw36]

from some stuff ive read certain foods may help also. may take a few weeks also.

[JL15219]

I feed them New life spectrum, spirulina enriched frozen brine shrimp, planton, spirulina sticks

[terror spawnin]

It looks like the right fish but the water must not be right.
Usually african cichlids from malowie can handle mid to high 7 range ph. But other lakes need the harder water. I have seen examples of colorful african cichlids looking drab and grey when in unfavorable water conditions.

Your substrate looks like it could use some crushed shell too. Your lfs should have a bag. This does well getting their water correct.

[JL15219]

Well most of the fish I have can should be in a pH from 7.2 to 8.6 so i have mine in the mid range...