TFA101

I can't believe how care type can alter fish color. It's awesome! I have a sunburst platy who was constantly nipped and chased by his superiors in a ten gallon tank. His color on the front half of his body was pale orange and his tail half was a washed-out red. Now that i moved him, he's eating very well and now i noticed he yields THREE colors and the original two were much more vibrant. His face is orange like the color of a mandarin, his abdomen is golden yellow, and his tail is no longer washed-out, but a beautiful blood-red. I'd post pictures, but i haven't any. More to come maybe.

Anyway, has anyone else experienced? Details please. My friends dont believe me whenever i tell them this (then again, we're only kids)

Allie

When we get african cichlids from lfs store they are usually pretty dull. After being with us and being fed properly the fish's coloring is much deeper and brighter.

Lucy

He sounds so happy, so of course he will show his colors better, he's not being picked on anymore. Fish can show stress in their colors.

All you have to do is look at the before and after pics on the betta forum to see the difference good care makes appearance and attitude.

Look at this way, if a kid is being picked on at school, he will look sad and stressed. Take the bullies away and the same kid will look happier and more confident. Smiles are much prettier than frowns.

Drea

very well put, Lucy...

Barbrella

I always find the most dramatic change to be in Cherry barbs.

At the bare tanks at the store, they always look pale and washed out and I"m sure are often passed over for that reason. Once home in an established planted tank, the males turn deep scarlet. It's quite amazing.

Tavel

Kind of what I was getting at with this thread a while back

Giant Danio Coloration

COBettaCouple

The Bettas, especially the females, really color up after they get into good tanks at home.

Allie

So true...and the lighter colored males. Sometimes you don't get to see their true colors until they are comfortable.