tlscott77
09-09-2010, 7:32 AM
I have a Salfin Pleco and his patterns fade when the lights go off, almost chameleon like. Is that normal?
jackiomy
09-09-2010, 7:38 AM
Yes, that is normal. My plecos are like that too. OThey also fade if they are stressed or hungry.
Color changing is usually used as a survival mechanism. The different color would make them less noticable in the wild by braking up there outline more. These colors show as stated when stressed also when housed with a light colored substrate as it trys to blend in more.
Like the others have said, they do change colour.
It can be a sign of stress, or just their mood. If I turn around and stare at my sailfin he will fade out right in front of my eyes. Then I turn away, and 5 mins later he's back to normal. Guess he just doesn't like being stared at.
So if he's changing for an obvious reason, like the lights changing, or you walking up to the tank, then that's normal. If he's faded out for no good reason, check for problems as they will do it in cold water, or a polluted tank.
Ian