I have two alligator gars around 28-30" now and Im curious on why my gators are still gray in color and not dark black. I saw some juvenile gator gars at the LFS that already have the dark black color. Is it because of the white tiles of my pond or are there really gator gars who grow mature and still have their grayish color?
Gator Gar Question
- Thread starter monster_lover01
- Start date
There's a number of reasons that effect a fish's colors.
One of the main factors is, diet, maybe the ones at the store get fed foods with more carotene and nutrition, and that improves the vibrancy of fish.
He could be a late bloomer.
Stress, is a common cause of lacking color in fish.
Genetics is also a possible out come of how the colors will develop.
Water quality is the most likely cause of really any fish problem, and yes poor water can make your fish's colors weaker.
Like you said in your post, yes the color of the substrate or what ever you have covering the bottom can slightly bleach a fish. Thats probably the most likely case, but it also depends on the lighting your using too.
Lighting like said before can cause color changes in fish, because when it becomes dark fish normally make them selfs paler and lighter. So maybe you have a dim form of lighting or dark colored lights.
One of the main factors is, diet, maybe the ones at the store get fed foods with more carotene and nutrition, and that improves the vibrancy of fish.
He could be a late bloomer.
Stress, is a common cause of lacking color in fish.
Genetics is also a possible out come of how the colors will develop.
Water quality is the most likely cause of really any fish problem, and yes poor water can make your fish's colors weaker.
Like you said in your post, yes the color of the substrate or what ever you have covering the bottom can slightly bleach a fish. Thats probably the most likely case, but it also depends on the lighting your using too.
Lighting like said before can cause color changes in fish, because when it becomes dark fish normally make them selfs paler and lighter. So maybe you have a dim form of lighting or dark colored lights.
i heard stress darkens gar. not sure on gators though. white tiles would have something to do with it.