Carpintis Coloration

[Jhefnerjr]

My Carpintis stays much darker than the majority of others that I have seen. She eats like a pig and all of the fish are very peaceful… just seems to be darker than what I’d expect. Anyone else have a darker Carpi?

 

[Deadeye]

Looks stressed. What else is in tank?

 

[Jhefnerjr]

Chocolate Cichlid, gar, Oscar, tire-track eel.

They all get along and no chasing or nipping. Water conditions perfect. She’s just always been dark. Eat’s right out of my hard. Though I get nipped from time to time.

 

[Jhefnerjr]

That’s all bubbles in the water from the bubbler in this shot…

 

[Man-made Monsters]

I had 4 of these Carpintis just a few months ago. I got them at just over one inch, and grew them to 3-5 inches. The one male quickly became dominant and spent much of his time with black covering much of his body. I believe the black is all about “I’m trying to assert myself” and have others fear me. Once I re-homed the other three the largest male was not black very often any more, except when another fish would start hovering near him. He would then turn black again. I bet your female is just trying to assert herself to her tank mates.