Sam Anderson wrote:
I am hoping some one can tell me what size the fry will start color up from
there orange and the size they will be ready to spawn . I also have some
Labidochromis sp. "mbamba" that I am wondering the same thing about
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/m_estherae.php
(Maylandia [Metriaclima deprecated] estherae)

snipped directly from the article:
At about 2.25 inches males will start to put on a light blue shade all
over their body and fins, and thus become somewhat unworthy of their
name. The females just put on a brighter orange color as they mature.

hth

/Tommi