Male Auratus

[Soaup]

Ok I thought i had two female and 1 male auratus in my 55 gallon but now im seeing one of the females have turned black.. Not as black as the male and she is still yellow on the top.. Is it possible that i have 2 males and 1 female? Or can the females turn black as well?

 

[Ferris]

It does sound like another male, one thing to look for is that males stripes are the exact opposite to the females, in other words, where the female has a black stripe, the male will have a white one. Females don't turn black but as with most Mbuna, they are prone to temporary colour changes depending on their mood etc.

 

[rixy]

any pics soaup

 

[freddyk]

but now im seeing one of the females have turned black.. Not as black as the male and she is still yellow on the top.. Is it possible that i have 2 males and 1 female?

In addition to the previous posts, a subdominent male will often take on female coloring, and will rarely reach the bold darkness of the dominant male.