Marbled Motoro Color

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TakeNotes

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jun 19, 2010
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In The Jungle
I keep seeing these brightly colored marbled motoros on the site and am curious as to what mine may end up looking like. When she was about 5" her base was fairly light with signs of marbling. She's now about 6" and has gotten very dark. Ever her underside has become very dark, almost purple.

Any idea where this is going? And when does the magical marbling occur if ever in this case.

She eats like a monster and she's great but I'm very impatient loluploadfromtaptalk1353502825766.jpguploadfromtaptalk1353502843536.jpg
 
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It takes time. Even my larger females took 3+ months to change over to what they look like today. Smaller ones need time to develop.
Ok. Thanks. Is her dark color an indication that she will be dark? Or will that change all together. I have not seen a dark marbled motoro on the site as far as I know. And for some reason I feel its due to my black sand.
 
Its the black substrate. Put her on light colored substrate and her colors will pop. Your Orb will lighten up as well.

I switched it to darken my orb initially and it worked. He has more visible markings now. Maybe the lighter sand will also help my datnoids lighten up a bit as they all look like shadows for the most part..... will pick something light up tomorrow maybe. Thanks
 
Might try a natural sand color I think it would work to bring out the color/pattern in all (not a fan of play sand) or could always do white pool filter sand. Silent Bob started a thread awhile back called "I want to see your marbles". You might look through it and see what substrate you like best.
 
I had two of my marbles on a barebottom tank with no substrate and their colors were very bright and vibrant. Since moving them into my tiled tank with black granite they have darkened up significantly and appear more washed out.

Lighter color substrate or something like a beige/tan colored sand would help alot with bringing out their colors.
 
Might try a natural sand color I think it would work to bring out the color/pattern in all (not a fan of play sand) or could always do white pool filter sand. Silent Bob started a thread awhile back called "I want to see your marbles". You might look through it and see what substrate you like best.

Haha I did JUST that minutes ago before I saw you suggested it. I def want to stay away from white sand which is why I went black. I really like the brown/natural look. Can I know the easiest way/product to achieve this color? Thanks
 
I had two of my marbles on a barebottom tank with no substrate and their colors were very bright and vibrant. Since moving them into my tiled tank with black granite they have darkened up significantly and appear more washed out.

Lighter color substrate or something like a beige/tan colored sand would help alot with bringing out their colors.

Thanks. I'm going to swap out the black for something of a more natural tone. Any suggestions as to what I can pick up off a shelf later today?
 
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