quick question about "breeding colors"

[red eyes]

I've read about some cichlids being dull when not in their breeding colors I.e. jewels, bu what does this mean?
is it just when their actively raising a brood of fry or when their searching for a mate or simply when their old enough to breed?
I saw some 2" ish jewels with vibrant red and so I'm a bit confused =p
thanks in advance

[rangur1]

i was led to believe it's when males reach sexual maturity and females when they are ready to breed.

[kaybee]

Depending on the species, even matured males can transition into 'breed colors' mode. Not a jewel cichlid, but here's my nimbochromis venustus (top photo, matured male in normal colors, bottom photo, same male but in breeding colors):
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Breeding colors are used to attract mates and intimidate rivals, and in the latter regard, may also be considered dominance colorations (both intent/desire to breed and aggression levels increase when in breeding colors mode).