Chocolate Cichlids rapid color change

[slowlyburn]

I have 2 recently purchaced chocolate cichlids... They keep rapidly changing color? Usually there like a dark camo color but now they are going from brown to almost white in seconds then back to dark. Also when doing this they both develop a dark spot near the back of the tail. No fighting between tankmates(there not even around) The fish just keep doing what there doing...

 

[plah831]

Many fishes change color when they're scared, stressed, or as a display. For example, when fish are feeling ill they might turn dark or pale. A few of mine turn pale at night when they're "sleeping." Others develop "fright bars" when they're scared. Because you say they're changing colors rapidly, I'm guessing it's more likely a display. I've seen some of my fish change rapidly to a dark color when they're being aggressive, while the submissor will turn pale in deference.

If they're not fighting or hurting each other, my inclination is not to worry about it.

I kept a cichlid tank when I was a kid, but don't remember if they changed color. Maybe a more experienced cichlid keeper could shed light on this. I could be totally wrong...

 

[BloodThirsty28]

There are two species of Chocolate Cichlid. Here is a little about both.

http://www.hagblomfoto.com/article_hypselecara.htm

http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=12323

Do you know which one you have? I have kept both and I can assure you the color change is natural.

 

[slowlyburn]

Hey thanks... I actually did not know that...