Do lighter colors mean anything?

[Maximus146]

First off I feel bad for this guy….looks like he took a bite to the eye and has clearly lost his vision out of it allowing me to take a pic without moving. But in any case, most times this one is a lot lighter in color compared to the rest of them. Does this mean anything?

 

[Deadeye]

Sorry to hear…I know a thing about piranhas taking eyes off fish:

Lighter color is probably due to stress and lack of dominance, similar to what is seen in subdominant cichlids.

 

[Maximus146]

Sorry to hear…I know a thing about piranhas taking eyes off fish:
View attachment 1473076
Lighter color is probably due to stress and lack of dominance, similar to what is seen in subdominant cichlids.

Ok I thought maybe the lighter color was in indication of male / female.
A previous tank I had with piranhas, one of them got bit in the eye and the part that was bit was literally floating from his eye like it was on a string until somehow it was torn off. Needless to say it healed flush to the side of his head but still had a red blotch in the center

 

[Deadeye]

Ok I thought maybe the lighter color was in indication of male / female.
A previous tank I had with piranhas, one of them got bit in the eye and the part that was bit was literally floating from his eye like it was on a string until somehow it was torn off. Needless to say it healed flush to the side of his head but still had a red blotch in the center

If I’m correct the male female is simply males being thinner, but the only way to tell for sure is at breeding.
Piranhas are crazy…they can survive just about any injury that would spell doom for others.

 

[Maximus146]

If I’m correct the male female is simply males being thinner, but the only way to tell for sure is at breeding.
Piranhas are crazy…they can survive just about any injury that would spell doom for others.

Yeah they’re skittish and hide like little babies but at the same time they’re resilient and super tough ??

 

[FJB]

Most 'characins' (probably most fish) are very good at surviving losing an eye, so long as the injury is restricted to the eye, and does not develop secondary infections while healing. In fact, many characins specialize in preying upon other fish's eyes, fins, scales.
Shown is a very fuzzy shot of one my new colombian tetras (in qt now). I noticed the missing eye after they arrived home, and the fish seems healthy enough.
On the other hand, vision is very important in their foraging behavior, so while they can survive seemingly without issues, they probably suffer in foraging effectiveness and hierarchy within shoals. But not in an immediately obvious manner.

 

[Maximus146]

Most 'characins' (probably most fish) are very good at surviving losing an eye, so long as the injury is restricted to the eye, and does not develop secondary infections while healing. In fact, many characins specialize in preying upon other fish's eyes, fins, scales.
Shown is a very fuzzy shot of one my new colombian tetras (in qt now). I noticed the missing eye after they arrived home, and the fish seems healthy enough.
On the other hand, vision is very important in their foraging behavior, so while they can survive seemingly without issues, they probably suffer in foraging effectiveness and hierarchy within shoals. But not in an immediately obvious manner.

View attachment 1473077

Yep I can definitely see it there. Being I feed them mostly frozen shrimp, rather than live all the time, do you think it’s harder for it to find food?

 

[Deadeye]

Yep I can definitely see it there. Being I feed them mostly frozen shrimp, rather than live all the time, do you think it’s harder for it to find food?

Piranhas have good smell and it still has a good eye. I think it will be able to find food easily. Biggest worry is a sneak attack from the other imo.

 

[FJB]

If it is an otherwise healthy fish in a not too overcrowded/predator-filled situation, I am sure it affects its abilities some, but not enough to matter much. In more challenging conditions, and or with health issues... that would be another story.

 

[Maximus146]

Piranhas have good smell and it still has a good eye. I think it will be able to find food easily. Biggest worry is a sneak attack from the other imo.

Yeah that’s my biggest worry but I think as long as he doesn’t appear to be weak, he should hopefully be ok