Indo Datnoid Question

[Yaouch]

I just purchased 5 3"+ Datnoids from a buddy of mine. When I put them in my 240gal tank, they turn from gold to black... Its been a few days now they are eating a lot but still they are black. I know that it has something to do with being stable and unstable... but what does that mean anyways. My tank is set up in 2 portions, one side have brown gravel and the other has white.... when my Dats swims to the white gravel, they change from black to gold... which is what I wanted... but when they swim to the darker side they change back to black with black bars.... Does anyone know why they do that... they change colors on demand.... instantly. Is there a way where I can train them to stay golden bright???

 

[phillydog1958]

My dat was purchased at about 4 inches and he's now grown to about 5.5 or, so. He's also gained some width and fattened up. He was stable from day one and has maintained that stability. One thing I do want to agree with you on is that I noticed that he has darkened up a tad bit. He was much more golden prior to being placed in my tank with black gravel, so I think that the darker substrate can make a difference in coloration of dats. Note the attached pic. although you can see his bands, he is daker than he was when I first purchased him. I wish I had a before pic. This is the after pic.

 

[Yaouch]

yeah i understand that darker surrounding would darken the fish but Im talking about they turn black.... so black that I cant even see the Bars...... just look like one black fish with no patterns.

 

[STXman]

i think they are trying to camouflage or they are stress but flat out black that is weird i never saw it or heard about it before

 

[gazelle]

that is probably some weird camoflage stuff however my 5 inch ntt is over dark gravel and he is shining gold and black =D

 

[Ade]

That's the big mystery of datnoids. No one quite knows why ....so many members try different things to get them stable, buts it's proven what works for some doesn't work for others.
Best to wait an be patient than keep changing stuff in the tank.

 

[nicknwillys]

Mine go black from time to time... but they are healthy and I have 16 of them in a large tank ranging from 3'' to 15''....they are such cool fish with great personalities!

 

[Ade]

Sounds good nickwillys. . U should post some pics.

 

[phillydog1958]

I'd like to see a pic of a black dat. Please post.

 

[JayJardini]

Dat will turn black as they hunt for their prey. Camouflaging themselves so they wont be seen by their prey. Eventually they become stable when they want attention from you!! lol!!