Why are my fish so dark?

[ccebr]

My JDs and GT are almost black. Water conditions are perfect. There is not much aggression in the tank. They are still young and about 3 inches. The lighting is quite bright in the tank. None of my other fish are showing such dark colouration. All are eating well. I don't know why they are like this any ideas?

 

[ccebr]

bump

 

[Ang]

a little more info would be helpful.

When did you get them? Did you just add them recently? If so, they could still be adjusting.

Have you had them for a little while and they just started acting this way? If so how long have they been acting this way?

or have they been this way since you got them?

Are you sure they are not being harassed by other fish?
Any torn fins or missing scales?

what are your water parameters?

 

[Dreamsing]

Pictures of the fish always help too. Some fish are just on the dark end of their species' range. It might not be anything to worry about, but you know the saying about pictures vs words.

 

[ccebr]

I got the jack dempseys about a week ago, they were quite pale in the shop but now they are much darker. I got the green terror 2 days ago, his fins were split and he was dark. I've been treating the tank with Primafix and Melafix and his fins have almost completely healed. There is little or no aggression in the tank, however it is a little crowded right now whilst my 100gal is cycling. They are all eating very well, not hiding away and swimming happily around. Water temp 78f, pH 7, nitrites 0. Some pics below

 

[marauders30]

i think they look fine. just really young. they look better as they get older

 

[Dreamsing]

Based on other pictures I've seen and your description of their behaior, I'd have to agree with marauders30. Don't worry about them unless they start acting like something's wrong. My guess is that they will change their colors and shades as they grow, seems to be the way it works with most cichlids.

 

[mgk]

they look fine to me, but the fish also change there color based on there surroundings, if you remove the black background they may get a bit brighter

 

[Motoxs3th]

i have a 2" green terror and a 2" firemouth and when i put my gar in there tank they both turned black just like yours. maybe means the same thing but dont know what it means

 

[SoloWizard]

I personally think they look pretty good like that. I personally think it is just them still feeling each other out. Id give it a few weeks.