missi

I might just be paranoid, but when I turned on my tank light this morning, my Otto's were kind of clear/see through colored vs. their normal color. I couldnt see their stripes, but after a but under the light, they started looking normal. I think maybe i don't normally look at them right after I turn the light on, but a few minutes after, I just want to make sure this is normal. I don't want them to be sick! They seemed to be acting normal.

Water conditions last night before water change were (and for the past few days):
0ppm ammonia
<0.25 nitrite
5-10 nitrate

The Nitrite is ALMOST gone... Hopefully soon!

Lucy

Most fish will lose color when the lights are off and color back up when the light is turned on. Normally it isn't anything to be concerned about.
I would however do some daily water changes to get your cycle complete.
Good luck.

missi

I am! It has just been slow going, and I was bad, and put a new filter in my Eclipse system because I hate their filters. I put in a different one, so that may be a set back, but at least i wont have to worry about the yucky carbon! (and luckily there is still the biowheel) I do a change every night, although, I learned last night that the python thingy can keep syphoning even if your water is off, so I did a way bigger one without realizing it! I wasn't paying attention and moving plants around! Oh well. Lesson learned.

Lucy

Ooops! lol. That's one of the fun things about this hobby, we're always learning good ways and not so good ways of doing things!

missi

I think I mostly learn the ways NOT to do things! LOL. Oh well. Live and learn!

jgon_

Just saw this thread. I have one otto who spends all day underneither a leaf in a very shady part of the tank and he's ghostly pale. But as soon as he leaves his little spot to go find some algae he colors up.