Dominant male/Subdominant Male?

[noslenwerd]

Ok i noticed while browsing through some pictures of Cynotilapia afra, that subdominant males are obviously less colored. When does this occur, and say i get 3 females ane 1 male, will the male for sure be dominant? Can someone just please explain the whole idea of Dominant/Subdominant Males?

Thanks

 

[freshcichlid]

well in a tank you might have 2 males and 6 females, the two males will have to breed with the females and the dominant male is the one who gets the pick and has the control over everyone else, he will show his colors more and be noticed by everyone else in the tank showing that he has control.
I do not know exactly when this occures because in different species it changes from their age.
hope that helps some

 

[Ferris]

It occurs when 1 male has either won a fight(s) between 2 males or has sufficiently intimidated another male into submission. The sub-dominant male will then appear duller so as not to attract the attention of the dominant male.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

I'm not sure about most fish, but in the melanochromis johanni(electric blue johanni) the dominant male will retain its full color while the submissive male will become almost grayish. The submissive male will also so no sign of interest in mating, even when there are several females present.

 

[trigger109]

Best colours best male. The males will probley fight and the winner will be the dominant male and bring out his colours to show other fish and females who is the boss. The looser will lose his colours to show defete. The two fish will probley fight on a regular basis and they can cause alot of dammage to each other. Probley best to stick with 1 male and 3-5 females.

 

[OzzieGirl]

WOW! I can't wait to get my tank set up, these fish seem so interesting, I'm going to really enjoy watching them.