Discolored Pleco

[ianab]

My big Sailfin does that all the time. It can be stress related, or just mood related. Right now he's sitting on a log in the tank beside me, and has his normal dark colour.

But if I turn around and stare at him he will fade to the mottled colour in about 30secs. Maybe he's just bashfull? Or maybe he's mad about 2 tank moves this week and spending 2 days in a 20 gal :swear: (Replacing carpet)

If he's eating and feeding normally, then it's just a bad mood. Lights switching on, people moving around etc.

Ian

 

[clogstonian]

my 2-cents: mine get a mottles/splotchy coloring when stress during cleaning or pruning . . . it's like a bad hair moment, they get over it and get that "happy" coloration again, personally I don't like that look but know that it is not permanent. mine alway brighten right up after the 30% H2O change . . . like given em a shower . . . I anthropomorphise a lot

 

[nzmolina]

Yes I have noticed that movement of rocks or even when cleaning colors fade out. I have frontosas and I lately I have seen change in there color depending on if there scared, mad, etc. I know it's a bit of the subject, but I'm guessing this happens with all fish.