apistogramma cacatuoides at petstore

Question
Hi
at one of my local fishstore i found three one inch fish label apistogramma cacatuoides. but these three fish lack any colors on body or on their fins. they are just a grayish body with a black line runing from the head to the tail. are they apistogramma cacatuoides, i realy want to get a pair that have good fin and color.
thank you

Answer
Hi Ray,
   They could be Apistogramma cacatuoides (I cannot guarantee it).  Keep in mind that cichlids are able to change their color minute by minute.  A fish in a fish store, particularly a small fish like a dwarf cichlid, might not be feeling really happy so they tend to display very neutral, hard-to-see colors.  That is no indication of what they will look like when they are put into a nice aquarium, fed-well and have a chance to spawn.  

-- Ron Coleman
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>