firemouths at a pet store

[dave1982]

i went to a pet store today and seen a pair of firemouths they where very light in color almost white i asked them if they were ok they said they were fine are they sick

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

Most of the very small firemouths that I've seen have the pale, bland coloration that you describe. Once they get larger, they tend to brighten up. Also, coloration can be affected by stress. If they were a new shipment, they may just be stressed out.

 

[FiremouthXSalvini]

The firemouths I have had started out pale, or were bright. They're usually bright in the store if they are comfortable. If they're pale, I would suggest if you get them to give them some TLC and they'll become bright hopefully. There's been one firemouth that I've had that wasn't bright, but she was my last firemouth.

 

[dave1982]

they where bigger they looked 4 inch and 2 but i aslo read up that if there in a light envoroment light color gravel exc. they tend to be lighter in color is that true

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

they where bigger they looked 4 inch and 2 but i aslo read up that if there in a light envoroment light color gravel exc. they tend to be lighter in color is that true

Absolutely, I have a small con that I had in a tank with white gravel. He was so pale in there that he was starting to turn pink! I moved him to a larger tank with black gravel and his colors got much darker.

 

[Headrush]

Absolutely, I have a small con that I had in a tank with white gravel. He was so pale in there that he was starting to turn pink! I moved him to a larger tank with black gravel and his colors got much darker.

I have a 3" FM in my 90 with black gravel and it helps his colors very much. Lots of orange and blue showing on him now

 

[dave1982]

so black gravel is the best way to go for color?

 

[Headrush]

so black gravel is the best way to go for color?

IMO YES! I have a 30 gallon with tan gravel (Natural colors) and once I moved my JD and GT into the 90 with black substrate, the colors jump out at you. A good flourescent light helps a bunch too.

Feed them a varied diet and make sure your include vegetable matter as I believe this helps bring out their colors too. I put Zuccini and algae wafers in there. I weight the zuccini down with those lead "ribbon weights" they use on plants.

God luck!

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

IMO YES! I have a 30 gallon with tan gravel (Natural colors) and once I moved my JD and GT into the 90 with black substrate, the colors jump out at you. A good flourescent light helps a bunch too.

Feed them a varied diet and make sure your include vegetable matter as I believe this helps bring out their colors too. I put Zuccini and algae wafers in there. I weight the zuccini down with those lead "ribbon weights" they use on plants.

God luck!

I agree with headrush, except I've found that with fish that have a naturally dark coloration, like a black convict, the black gravel makes them even darker, kinda drab. Anyhoo, I'll say "good luck" although "God luck" may be better luck!

 

[Skoomakilla]

Yup i agree, try a darker substrate.