Lake Malawi Species • Mbuna fading to white

[Clarkster]

Hi All,
I had a Lombardoi mbuna that was yellow with black stripes and recently it has faded to white with black stripes. I've attached a picture here. Do you think it is something I need to be concerned about?

The water quality seems good and I haven't noticed it being bullied, but it is a bit odd.

Thanks!

[DJRansome]

Adult male lombardoi are solid yellow. Juvenile lombardoi are blue with bars.

It could be a juvenile transitioning to the solid yellow coloring. How long was it yellow before?

[Clarkster]

We have a number of blue and yellow mbunas. It is possible that I mixed up if he was previously blue before he faded white. Is fading to white normal during that trasnsition?

[DJRansome]

The colors can vary widely during the transition.

[noki]

Not real sure what is going on, but it is not sick. Did you get the fish recently? If it was a yellowish male may have lost color since there may be more dominant males. If it was more blue might be fading, or transitioning to male color. Females can fade, or even turn dull yellowish, females don't always keep that attractive shiny blue.

[Clarkster]

Thank you!!!