Really dark Dovii

[Mudfrog]

So do Dovii's normally get very very dark? I have black gravel and a black background which looks good when he allows his colors to pop but there are times I think he's jumped out because I can't find him then I realize he's almost completely black and I just over looked him. When he's stressed he gets really really light in color so does being really black mean anything?

It's not always like this, most times his colors on his fins and gills really pop and give him away, but I think he gets grouchy and does it to annoy me.

These were taken without the flash, I'm sure my lack of up to par lighting magnifies the problem but I can always find my TSN just fine.

 

[---XR---]

your choice of substrate color is most likely responsible for a good deal of that, but dovii's colors are known to fluctuate a good deal depending on moods.

 

[Mudfrog]

I figured it would be partly due to the substrate and background but he does total 180's in color. Just not use to that much fluctuation I guess.

 

[altimaser]

My Dovii never changes color, but my Black Nasty goes from White to Black Instantly

 

[evilxyardxgnome]

I would say it might be stressed? Does it have any tank mates that are bullying it or is it alone? Did you just recently get it? If so was it in a tank with other Dovii picking on it?

 

[Mudfrog]

Doubtful it's stressed, I've had him long enough to know when he's stressed he gets very light coloration instead of dark.. had it for ~6 months, a TSN for a tank mate and the Dovii rough's the TSN up big time so it's not getting picked on.

I guess it's primarily the substrate and bad lighting.