Different Populations of Dempseys?

[RyJ]

I compared the Jack Dempseys of two different pet stores.
Both stores had Dempseys that were around 2inches long.....but the Dempseys in one of the stores was MUCH more darker and colourful than the other.
They were both regular Dempseys...not the Electic Blues.

I've noticed the difference in stores for a while. The darker, more attractive Dempseys are at Wal-Mart......and the less-colourful ones are at Pets Unlimited. I do know that these stores get their fish from different fish farms.

Does anyone know if there are different populations/colour morphs of the Dempsey?...other than the Electric Blues?

I wonder why Wal-Marts Dempseys are sooo dark and attractive.

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

They could be being fed hormones. Around here i often notice tanks of africans that are fed hormones. With Peacocks you can tell this not only by how the males are fully colored up when immature, but even the females (normally drab) are colorful. They looks so pretty and attractive, but its caused by hormones.

Once you bring the fish home and start feeding them normal foods they will loose the color.

That could be one reason...

 

[Spunky]

I have not heard of anything besides the normal jd and the blue.

JDs change color depending on their mood. When they are darker they are less stressed. I am sure that it depends on genetics too. I have a male that when he darkens, it is only his fins and stripes down his sides that show the color change. My female, on the other hand, gets extremely dark pretty much everywhere.

You must just have a good wal-mart, one that takes care of its fish. The one around here is aweful...

Spunky

 

[RyJ]

I have not heard of anything besides the normal jd and the blue.

JDs change color depending on their mood. When they are darker they are less stressed. I am sure that it depends on genetics too. I have a male that when he darkens, it is only his fins and stripes down his sides that show the color change. My female, on the other hand, gets extremely dark pretty much everywhere.

You must just have a good wal-mart, one that takes care of its fish. The one around here is aweful...

Spunky

The Wal-Mart around here is amazing. They hired someone who is a real animal lover

 

[Cat]

Do both shops keep them in JD only tanks? Cause if they are mixed cichlid tanks that would bring the colours out. I know my LFS try to keep compatable fish together as it brings out the colours more.

 

[RyJ]

Do both shops keep them in JD only tanks? Cause if they are mixed cichlid tanks that would bring the colours out. I know my LFS try to keep compatable fish together as it brings out the colours more.

...it brings the colours out in what way?
Does having other species present 'excite' the Dempseys...or do the other species just provide different colours...so you notice the colour difference more?

 

[Cat]

I think its an aggression thing they show there colours in more of a matco way. Like I have 3 JD's and the large more diominant one is a lot darker bodies which makes the red on his fin and his blue spangles stand out more. The main fish I notice it with in an LFS is Kribensis, if they are in a tank on there own they look really washed out so my LFS try to keep another cichlid in there that way all the colours, in particular the female's red belly all brighten up loads. if you have ever removed fish like these from a comunity tank when they have had fry you will notice how they fade.