Whats up with my Ahli?

[JamesRiggs]

First off I know, you are going to tell me its a fryeri now, but to me they will always be ahli. ANYWAY, I bought/rescued this ahli, he looked awful, but not awful enough where I knew I wouldnt be able to save him. I payed my 25 bucks for him and got him home. First thing is his color is WAAAAY off, his fins are damaged and at first I could not get him to eat. Now, after 4 days of melafix dosing, it seems some of his color is coming back, his fins are regenterating, and he is eating like a horse. My question is: What is wrong with his color, is the darkness stress induced? I have him in my hospital tank right now and he seems to be doing much better. I will post a pic of my good ahli and then the second pic will be of this rescued ahli.

Good Ahli

Rescue Ahli

Thanks in advance for all the help.

J

 

[Wimmels]

You can't expect a fish that was near death to be healed in 4 days time, so I guess the dark color can be stress related.

Furthermore a fish can have a lot of variation within its species/genus or whatever you call it, due to different catching locations in the Malawi lake.

Give him some time and see how he colors up once he has a female with him.

 

[cichlidgirl]

Do lots of water changes for him. One everyday while he is healing. 10-30 percent. The more the better. Clean water will really help to revive him and speed his recovery in general. Its probably the most important thing you can do.

I agree with all of the above. Stress will often make a fish a darker duller version of what they normally look like.

As for different individuals having different shades of the same general color i know that is true as well. I have seen pics of blue dolphins for example that are so dark blue they almost look navy blue and then i have seen some the same age or sex that are so pale they barely can be called blue and are more like a silvery white color. So big differences can occur between individuals.

 

[Wimmels]

You could add salt as well. This makes it easier for the fish to regulate its salinity in its blood(a lot of energy is put into that)

I have good results with 100grams of salt in 100 liters of water.
Dunno wat that is in imperial measurement but I guess about 1/5th pound per 26 gallons of water

 

[pattycakescichlids]

Most likely the stress. He is getting better just give him a little time.. I agree with the salt a great stress med as well as many other things.

 

[johnny_1993]

its darker because its a fyreri and yess they look like that!

 

[JamesRiggs]

I was under the understanding that fryeri and ahli were the exact same fish.

 

[navygirl76]

he doesnt look that bad, just give him some time to heal up-4 days isnt long.

 

[fsc46]

I was under the understanding that fryeri and ahli were the exact same fish.

Nope. The S. Fryeri and a true Ahli are not the same. A true Ahli is a much lighter blue and is rarely seen in the hobby. edit: Years ago this fish became known as the Electric Blue Ahli and it stuck. Try selling it as an electric blue fryeri..... not to catchy. Sometimes the name helps sell the fish.

PS: You would need to know someone that knows the right people to find a true Ahli.