I think I read that as they mature the females are often lighter in coloration. Also, make sure you have a tight fitting cover, around ALL of the top. I discovered one on the floor a few months back that made it out where the HOB opening on the cover wasn't snug. RIP Howard. They are fun, I plan to get some more somewhere down the road when they are right for one of my tanks.
I have a 4 legged cat that understands that the tanks are mine - he is not to mess with it - but I am sure that anything outside of the tank or on the floor would be a totally different matter.
My new 'oddballs' are a lot of fun - I will upload pics very soon.
Sounds kinda like the cory cats Although I have never owned synos before, I would really like to. I've seen em at my petsmart but can't get em because 4 4" fish just wouldn't fit inside a 20g.
I have three of these guys in my bigger tank. They're a lot of fun to watch. They like to hide, so I don't see them very often except when I drop in some Hikari Sinking Wafers (they love those).