Color change

[H8Parrotfish 13]

Can a stripe Midas cichlid eventually change color?

Cause i noticed that my midas is losing it's black greyish color and is getting lighter, the stripes are still there but i fear they could fade.

Is there any reason for this? (water conditions,food, etc)

 

[rus]

Amphilophus citrinellus (midas), and Amphilophus labiatus (red devil) all start out with the striped pattern. as they grow most color morph 2-3 times during their life(unless it is a true striped midas). the first is the most dramatic with the next 1 or 2 being small changes. i still havent found any info on why some change at very small sizes and some change at up to 8" or 18 months old. if yours is a striped midas it will never change. but just because it is striped when you get it doesnt mean it is a striped midas. and i have actually been told that some striped midas dont display the dark lines as young only the dark blotches like a con has. striped midas are rare and the likely hood of finding one at a local fish store is slim at best.
here are some pictures of my red devil before during and after morphing.

 

[boxhitter]

if you want a ture barred midas go to jeff rapps he has very nice fish. even wild cault fish.