Changing water parameters and effect on COLOR

[ikanyubodoh]

In most cases when the pecking order is set, the alpha male, female or both will show the best colours. The best part is that when you take out either one of the alphas the next in line will take over the niche with similar brilliant colours.

If you want them all to look nice I think the way to do it is to have a super conducive enviroment for spawning, those sexually matured ones will go into overdrive mode. It is a natural thing to look 'attractive'. I believe Dmack's pbass proved some points here. Just my 2 cents

 

[channarox]

this is very interesting...

if i must add,
i do not have a real schedule on water changes.
sometimes i change only once every week or two,sometimes i change several times a week.
during the periods where i change water less regularly,the fish actually show off better.
but only for a while,then it starts to become faded again.
when i do very regular water changes,their colors really pop much more and for longer periods.
i believe water changes do have a major role in the coloration of cichla.
also,it is true when adding new fish to the tank.
once the new fish is comfortable,it actually colors up alot,especially when others confront it.
eventually,it tones down like the others.
colors also POP during aggression,when establishing a hierarchy.
even feeding of LIVE fish makes them light up.
but why is it different from feeding non-live?
ive always wondered.

 

[Robbo RTG]

could it be possible that when you do a water change the new water is just more clear, allowing the light to penetrate better and highlight the fish's colors? i guess that wouldn't explain the "washed out" look though...

 

[chefjamesscott]

well i got nothing on bass as I have not been able to get any up here

though I do have to say my other fish especially the sw one seem to exhibit color variances due to emotion. one of my tangs goes strobing when he is mad at another fish and his colors change in amazing ways then when he calms down he goes normal

I would have to say it has 90% to do with emotion and 10% with diet and water

 

[Houdini89]

So i've noticed something with my cichla, mainly my orinos. This goes along with the idea that big changes in water parameters can trigger breeding activity, as it simulates thier natural environments when heavy rains come in. i think it was Scat that mentioned this. often times youll have some fish that will not breed for the current owner but as soon as they go to somebody elses tank with different parameters it triggers them into breeding mode.

i think the same applies for color. many times when i pick up a new orino a few hours after dropping it in my tank the colors are very brilliant and vibrant. it looks way better than all of my other fish and it even looks better than it did in the previous owners tank. but a few days later the color tones down and it begins to blend in with my others. the black is not as sharp, and the blue fins sort of fade out. even the red in the eyes goes away a little.

so im thinking, does the big change in water parameters cause thier true vibrant colors to come out in all its glory? why would the colors gradually fade away? even when the fish gets pissed, its colors are still not what they were in the first few days.

and if these colors are due to the change in parameters, how do we keep it happening???? its obvious something makes them happy, as their colors show it! here's a few examples of two orinos i recently picked up. check out the before and after pics. the first pics were taken within the first two days. the recent pics are about 3 weeks later. see the difference???

so what do you guys think??
BEFORE (two different orinos)
View attachment 410065

View attachment 410066

View attachment 410067

View attachment 410068


AFTER
View attachment 410069

View attachment 410070

I'm a rookie, but i have to say, you have an amazing collection, water issue or not.......

 

[Reel Addiction]

Alittle off topic but may be relavant to a extent. When offshore fishing wahoo and white marlin actually look like the are lighting up as they are after the bait.

Now if you look at it that way, its not any parameters changing its the fish geeting aggressive or excited. I know its not aquarium related, but just a fish coloring up in a certain situation.

 

[channarox]

Alittle off topic but may be relavant to a extent. When offshore fishing wahoo and white marlin actually look like the are lighting up as they are after the bait.

Now if you look at it that way, its not any parameters changing its the fish geeting aggressive or excited. I know its not aquarium related, but just a fish coloring up in a certain situation.

thats true.
any fish i know will color up during aggression,breeding,or feeding,especially with live prey.