Questions about tiger barbs

[jdheff1982]

Howdy! I just completed my flashlight check of everybody in my unlit 37-g tank and noticed that the barbs are exhibiting copper/greenish colored glitter along the black bands and the head. Also I have noticed what appears to be whiskers at the edges of the mouths on all tiger barbs. Is this normal, or should I be concerned???? Thanks!!!!!

[Faramir]

Barbus means whiskers. I wonder if it's the same root as "barber" - originally one who shaved his customers.

Sounds all perfectly normal.

[wetmanNY]

The greenish color reflected in the flashlight comes from diffraction of the light that produces this "structural color." Barbs with extra melanin reflect so much iridescent green that we call them "Green Tiger Barbs" tho' they're black. The effect is called the "Tyndall effect" from the physicist who described how it works, and a www.google.com search would give more and better explanation if you're curious.