Why Are My 'green' Severums Different Colours?

[SouthernCross]

Hi all,

I've had my two severums for awhile now (both sold to me on the same day as green severums from the same tank) and while they changed colour a bit while they were settling in, now they both seem to be very different colours. Is there a reason they are different colours and can anyone confirm the sexing for me?

Here's the two of them in the same shot showing the contrast:

The 'green' one who is a deep olive green with orange belly at times I was told at the LFS was a female. She doesn't show the solid stripe at the back of the body like the other. This one's eyes are always much more red than the other. This one is definitely the dominant fish and chases the other around a lot. Would that have anything to do with the colours?

Here's the 'pale' one, that shows the solid black bar all the time. I was told this one was a male.

 

[snowflake311]

Second photo looks like a dominate female maybe. Looks like there could be some markings on the gill lates. Lighter color one looks like a male. The worm like markings on the gill plates are a sure sign of a male.

Lack of the worm like markings means it's a female.

The color change is due to mood. When they get that bright yellow under and deep green that could be breeding colors or fighting color. Showing that they are the top fish and not to be messed with. The black bar on the back is something that all young ones have it fades with time. If it shows up again that could mean stress.

Cichlids show there mood and communicate a lot by changing color. It's totally normal. I old male severum is 4 years old and 8.5" he is always dark green. But over the years I have seen him in many different shades.

 

[Blitz]

I think your fish is stressed. My fish would change color when they were stressed.

 

[SouthernCross]

The slightly bigger one that shows the dark green does chase the other around a lot.

 

[dougie]

One of my keyholes shows his Darker patches all the time, especially when feeding or defending his corner. The others are much paler. I figured as he's been like it for 2 years, he's displaying the fact that he's the dominant guy in the tank (which he is, just about, he & one of my Acara are facing off a lot these days).
Perhaps your Sev is the same, letting everyone know he's king?

 

[balajake]

My Belem Severums were the same colour until I changed my black gravel to a lighter coloured sand. They were both deep blue but now only one is blue and one is much lighter.
I will upload photos as soon as photobucket works again ( doing maintainence)

My F1 Belem severums . Both from the same batch and I believe/hope they are male and female. I think top is female bottom male