My African cichlid losing there color

I keep on with my water changes feed them new life spectrum food there losing there color

 

Can you provide a bit more info? Tank size? What fish do you have in there and in what numbers?

Water parameters (pH, temp, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates)?

 

It's a 55 gallons aquarium I have 14 African cichlid there mix from the local fish store my ph is 8.2 temp 84 ammonia 0 nitrites 0 nitrates around 20 ppm

 

Do you know what specific species? The paleness could easily be from stress as a result of incompatible stocking.

 

I don't think he is stress auratus is the one that changing color

 

You know the sex of all the fish?

 

what are the other species of cichlids?

 

I'm not sure the sex

 

Can you include pics of your other fish so we can ID them?

 

I know some of them
Zebra
2 jewels
auratus
Yellow lab
blue johannI
Couple peacocks

 

You have some stocking issues, and that could easily be causing the paleness.
LeoDiaz

 

Really hmm what can I do

 

The auratus is turning male. He will get a dark brown body color with narrow yellow/white stripes. He will become more aggressive when he changes.

There is a troublesome mix of fish in that tank.

 

Really what trouble tho all of them get along I never had problems I never seen them chase each other or fighting

 

The auratus is turning male. He will get a dark brown body color with narrow yellow/white stripes. He will become more aggressive when he changes.

There is a troublesome mix of fish in that tank.

I've read that happening, but does their gender really change?

 

I'm really not sure

 

The gender does not change, the males just color up at maturity. As far as trouble, you don't get much with a bunch of juvenile fish, which you currently have. When they start to mature sexually, all bets are off. Males will become very territorial and start fighting to determine who gets the best spot. Females will be harrassed if you don't have enough for each species. This is a common problem when beginners try to start a Malawian tank. They think things are fine because the youingsters are getting along. Usually somewhere between a year and a half to two years is what it takes for most Mbuna to mature.

The juveniles in the wild spend their time trying to avoid being eaten. The adult males spend their time trying to attract a mate and defending a territory for doing so. Females shoal together and feed, and when the mood hits her, she will go find the most dominant male and spawn with him. Then she finds a quiet spot to brood her eggs/young. In a small tank like a 55, it is hard for them to do any of these things.

 

The gender does not change, the males just color up at maturity. As far as trouble, you don't get much with a bunch of juvenile fish, which you currently have. When they start to mature sexually, all bets are off. Males will become very territorial and start fighting to determine who gets the best spot. Females will be harrassed if you don't have enough for each species. This is a common problem when beginners try to start a Malawian tank. They think things are fine because the youingsters are getting along. Usually somewhere between a year and a half to two years is what it takes for most Mbuna to mature.

The juveniles in the wild spend their time trying to avoid being eaten. The adult males spend their time trying to attract a mate and defending a territory for doing so. Females shoal together and feed, and when the mood hits her, she will go find the most dominant male and spawn with him. Then she finds a quiet spot to brood her eggs/young. In a small tank like a 55, it is hard for them to do any of these things.

I have read of dominant females coloring up like males when there are no males in the tank, and pairing up with the sub dominant female, but the eggs that were laid of course weren't fertile.

but you're right it's probably a young male in these accounts.