In the wild, groups of up to 50 individuals have been observed, with only 1 male showing dominant coloration. Breeding dress is most stunning and quite variable between specimens. Colors are metallic appearing and can range from purple, to green, to yellow, to blue, & turquoise. This color is most intense in the morning and fades later in the day as it mainly forages. Females release & protect fry for several weeks aprat from the group & in the intermediate zone. Individuals often bury themselves in the sand (if provided) when trying to avoid capture, both in the wild & in the aquarium. Along the northwestern coastline of the lake, individuals are ''followed'' by Cyrtocara moorii and Protomelas annectens, who feed on items exposed by F. rostratus's digging/filtering practices.
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