I have dealt with a lot of fish sicknesses over the past 31 years, but this one is quite strange--and I'm a bit unfamiliar with it.
I have a Hypselecara coryphaenoides near the 7" range who has always held brilliant colorations ranging from light brown to a deep rusty "chocolate" color based on his mood.
A few months ago, however, he got into a scuffle with a Vieja and Buttikoferi--which characteristically outgrew him and started to tag team him (though they grew up together without ever even a nip prior).
Well, fortunately, I have a 55 gallon holding tank which I use for my larger fish if ever they get hurt or sick (except for the head-bashing Pacu--there's not much help for him, hah). Now, however, the 55 has been converted into a small aquarium in our living room, and I started using an old 75 gallon for my sick bay instead.
Well, the Hypselecara coryphaenoides's wounds healed up in a couple weeks(had some missing scales, punctures and ripped fins originally). When they healed up, however, his slime coat turned full gray along the lateral lines and around the head areas.
I was afraid that he had been hit by velvet, except no other fish he was housed with showed any signs of spread--nor was or has he shown signs of stress the entire time this gray coloration has been on him. He acts completely normal, and there have been no changes in his eating patterns.
I'm quite confused as to why this gray coloration hasn't gone away. Also, I'm concerned as I hope it is not contagious and not causing him significant or permanent damage.
I've never come across this discoloration before.
If anyone has experience dealing with a gray coloration on thier Hypselecara coryphaenoides, please let me know. Perhaps it is a normal thing when they start reaching maturity, but unless I get confirmation from some other people regarding that theory, I'm not buying in to it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
I have a Hypselecara coryphaenoides near the 7" range who has always held brilliant colorations ranging from light brown to a deep rusty "chocolate" color based on his mood.
A few months ago, however, he got into a scuffle with a Vieja and Buttikoferi--which characteristically outgrew him and started to tag team him (though they grew up together without ever even a nip prior).
Well, fortunately, I have a 55 gallon holding tank which I use for my larger fish if ever they get hurt or sick (except for the head-bashing Pacu--there's not much help for him, hah). Now, however, the 55 has been converted into a small aquarium in our living room, and I started using an old 75 gallon for my sick bay instead.
Well, the Hypselecara coryphaenoides's wounds healed up in a couple weeks(had some missing scales, punctures and ripped fins originally). When they healed up, however, his slime coat turned full gray along the lateral lines and around the head areas.
I was afraid that he had been hit by velvet, except no other fish he was housed with showed any signs of spread--nor was or has he shown signs of stress the entire time this gray coloration has been on him. He acts completely normal, and there have been no changes in his eating patterns.
I'm quite confused as to why this gray coloration hasn't gone away. Also, I'm concerned as I hope it is not contagious and not causing him significant or permanent damage.
I've never come across this discoloration before.
If anyone has experience dealing with a gray coloration on thier Hypselecara coryphaenoides, please let me know. Perhaps it is a normal thing when they start reaching maturity, but unless I get confirmation from some other people regarding that theory, I'm not buying in to it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
