Amnagrla

I went to a wedding Saturday night and I knew I wouldn't be back until around 10:00 Sunday night.

I dropped in a cucumber around 4:00 Saturday to make sure my otos had some food. I came home last night and a) the cucumber was COMPLETELY gone except for the skin and b) one of my otos color was change a lot. He seems more translucent and more of a green color than gray with a black stripe.

I was worried about him but when I woke up this morning, he looked fine.

Anybody know why that could happen?

COBettaCouple

i'm not exactly sure why they do it, but i have noticed otos changing color like that and i think it has to do with what they're eating, mood and/or lighting.. the oto experts can tell you for sure, but i do believe it's just something they normally do.

Amnagrla

Okay. When I came home, the light was off, probably had been for hours, but I turned it on to check on everybody. That could have had something to do with it.

COBettaCouple

definitely.. you should see how fast the mahachai bettas can go from dark to light when the light goes on.. and otos definitely have camoflauge as a way to try to survive in a world of fish that eat them.

Amnagrla

well then...... PHEW!!

vin

All fish will change color when the lights go out....They won't be nearly as vibrant. Coloration is a defense mechanism and isn't needed as much at night.

armadillo

Am glad you're asking this question, Amanda. Mine's colour is the same thing (at least the female is) and I was worried she might be sick. Now I think it could well be to do with what they eat.

COBettaCouple

when we had some, i'd notice color changes during the day too.. i think because of lighting, like Vin mentioned.. our Mahachai betta change color according to light too, so i think it's not uncommon.

armadillo

Oh you reckon it's nothing to do with what they eat at all? We should experiment. Oto owners, are you game?

Amnagrla

hahaha okay! I'm always game!

COBettaCouple

i think light levels and diet affect their coloring and shading.

armadillo

Alright, I'll definitely try to pay attention to their colours in relation to what they eat. My (completely unfounded so far) theory is that when I give them cucumber, they go lighter. Anybody else has other food ideas to test colour chnages?

Callum The Cat