Red-Bellied Color Fade

[wcong2]

Hi,

I have 10 5~7" RBP in a 110G for almost a year. When they were here, all 10 of them has real beautiful red belly. However, lately, their red is kind of fading off to white or some really pale red. Some of them become black in their face and some become black on their body. They still look healthy and eat/swim normally. The tank has nothing much other than 2 pcs of driftwood for them to hide and 2 air bubbles in each corner, without gravel.

I maintain a 50~70% water change weekly depends on the quality of the water and also a daily check on the water pH to stay between 5.5~6.5.
Feed them with quarantined live baby catfish between 1~2.5 inches, about 30 pcs per day.

I have no idea why did their color start to fade off lately. Is this normal? Is it time for a new tank?

 

[spankymaz]

It is normal for colors to fade. The ones that are turning black are starting to display breeding colors, so hopefully you will have a pair soon.

 

[F1 VET]

Id say the size of the tank and amount of p's may make spawning very difficult. But if they turn pale its usually an indicator that their mad or distrought. Hard to know exactly w/o a pic!

 

[wcong2]

thanks for the advises...

i understand that the tank is getting too small now. am planning to get a 200G for them probably next month.

i really do hope that they breed.

will post some picture soon

 

[jp80911]

bigger tank is always better but 110 isn't necessarily too small IMO
I had 7 rbps spawning in 40g before, but 200g is def. good for the number of p's you have. post some pics when you have the new tank setup, actually post some pics of your current tank too

 

[wcong2]

Here you go with some pictures. If you take a closer look, they are quite pale.

I realised they started turning pale after i add in another filter. I have just removed it, will monitor again.

On top of that, that's my Gar too, turning pale too. She used to be darker in color and with much more obvious spots. but now... i dont know why all my fishes turn pale...

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

sweet pics, you like the bare bottom look? prob much easier to clean

 

[wcong2]

Yes it is. I started with sands but those messy eaters just cant keep it clean. so, i remove them

 

[fishylee]

sounds like me 2 yrs ago.. now a 25 incher in a 150. If you're gonna keep them. my advice for 2 rbp's, in 1 tank... MINIMUN 400 gallons

 

[wcong2]

RBP in 25 inches!?!? Are you sure!? Do you mean 25cm?