Lighting

[Jon-C]

What is the best type of lighting to use on a 55 with Malawi cichlids
I went out and got two yellow tailed aceis last night but instead having that nice blueish color they appear to be black but will change in a instant and then right back I have read that the lighting might have somthing do with it
I also got a electric blue but he is black with bright electric blue stripes he is buetiful had to buy him
so what do you think?

[kaybee]

What is the best type of lighting to use on a 55 with Malawi cichlids...

I use standard 10000K bulbs on most of my mbuna tanks (except for my demasoni tank which is augmented by 'actinics').

I went out and got two yellow tailed aceis last night but instead having that nice blueish color they appear to be black but will change in a instant and then right back I have read that the lighting might have somthing do with it..

It's more likely mood related. Acei's can shift from a pale, almost blue, color (usually seen when the fish are new or intimidated) to a very solid dark purple (signifying confidence). When acei's get aggressive with each other then can also temporarily display vertical stripe patterns (I've only seen that among the larger males).

[Jon-C]

That might be it they all seem very happy and their doesn't seem to be any aggression yet far

[hybridguy]

I use two bulbs on all tanks, 1 actinic that is 100%,and one superdaylight.I only run the daylight unless i am watching the tanks for extended period of time. the actinic brings out the prettiest color.thumbs2:

[Dixie]

I don't know much about lights but acei can take on different colors at different times & for different reasons. I had some small ones once that looked kinda grayish brown most of the time until they grew some. Then they became a pretty bluish purple color. If your elect. blue is in the same tank and looks good, it probably isn't the light but the size of the acei and the fact that they are new to the tank.

[Jon-C]

Yeah they do change colors at a drop of a hat
they are starting to display buetiful blues in their faces and bellies
I am just not a fan of there dark purples
but occassionally do lighten their body colors to display nice vertical stripes
and their yellow fins can somtimes go lime green

[domjd05]

When I had mine I used 10000k, and they looked beautiful.

The purple stood out very well and never looked brownish.