?Coloration Changes in Spotted Pleco?

[MaddMaxx]

My "spotted" pleco (PetDumb version) under goes frequent blotchy coloration changes. It "normally" has a consistent dark brown (w/white spots) color and then changes to patches of very light tan all over.

Is this normal? Is it a display of stress? If stress, what possible causes? Tank mates right now are tetra's, ghost and cory cats.

Pics are a few months old, he's about 5" now! gonna be a monster
Any thoughts and possible ID's appreciated.

 

[sostoudt]

my fish change to meet the surface there or near, sorta like a type of camoflauge.

what's it eating a gobstopper?

 

[MaddMaxx]

Lol, that'd be pretty sweet, a candy addicted fish! He kills peas (pictured), cuc's and squash!

Thanks for the comments, thats cool if they do camo!

 

[halfnelson]

Stress ... could be the fish senses a large animal near by.

 

[Yanbbrox]

Stress ... could be the fish senses a large animal near by.

Yup the smaller they are the more stressed out they get and go very pale. Has happened to me many times during water changes

 

[Warborg]

You have a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus and it's not uncommon for their shades of color to change: stress, health, lighting in the tank, color of gravel and even other objects can effect their color.

I added some plastic wood in the tank and both my plecos got darker.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=177

 

[Plec123]

You have a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus and it's not uncommon for their shades of color to change: stress, health, lighting in the tank, color of gravel and even other objects can effect their color.

I added some plastic wood in the tank and both my plecos got darker.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=177

+1

 

[MaddMaxx]

Stress ... could be the fish senses a large animal near by.

A predator...

Yup the smaller they are the more stressed out they get and go very pale. Has happened to me many times during water changes

Yeah, come to think of it has seemed to lessen as he's grown.

You have a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus and it's not uncommon for their shades of color to change: stress, health, lighting in the tank, color of gravel and even other objects can effect their color.

I added some plastic wood in the tank and both my plecos got darker.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=177

Thanks! Its really cool to know what he is. I plan on moving him into my 75g once its setup and I'll have some good bog/drift wood for him.

+1

Thanks all! This is why this site rocks so much!

 

[masterweb]

hi can you take pict of your pleco.

 

[MaddMaxx]

hi can you take pict of your pleco.

There are several in my original post. Are you unable to see them?