Will Salvini lighten up again?

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Newt

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 18, 2005
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Michigan's UP
I took the white/light sand out of my 75 and put in fine black gravel.

Now my Salvini, who used to show his beautiful yellow, red, and blues, is dark, almost black. I know it's because he's trying to blend in with the new gravel.

Will he ever go back to showing his true colors? Is it just a matter of him getting used to the new gravel color? It's been two weeks now.
 
There's really no "true color", colors will change depending on the light, and the surroundings. Dark gravel will darken (and often enhance) the color of the fish.

It will show off it's colors again, but a little darker. In my opinion, much better looking. You see, patterns on the fish intensify when you use dark/black substrates, bright/shinny colors on the fish will contrast sharply against the darker background, and all sorts of things you've probably never seen displayed by your fishes.
 
Are you sure its male? I know the Females of this species have better color than males. You can tell a female by a blotch in the middle of her dorsal fin.

The Juvie female I had showed trememdous color on black gravel, so I think it'll come back. IME they wash out very quickly when stressed.

What are the other tank mates?

I can include a pic of the female I had if you want to see it, but it's on this forum about 5 or 6 times in different threads. Folks are probably getting tired of seeing her :D

Good luck!:headbang2
 
Yeah it should lighten up. It's basically like you just put him in a new aquarium. Right now he could be stressed a little. If he is a male he should have blue speckles all over his face and should also be a little duller, darker yellow as compared to a female.
 
Thanks for the replies! Here is a picture of the Salvini from December, it's all I have right now.

salvini.jpg
 
That's an awesome fish. Colors are great!
 
i did the same thing with my jag and it took him a week. but, after that week he was way more colorful than ever! hope that happens to you -good luck
 
Don't worry color will come back better than ever!
 
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