Is My Mandarin Alright???

[Lower_Level]

I've been noticing over the last week or so that when I first turn the lights on in my tank after they've been off for awhile (8-10 hours), my mandarin goby is pure white! After some time, he regains all his colours & starts swimming around again.

But is that normal? I know that fish will lose some of the brilliant colours when the lights go out, but lose ALL the colour?

Please someone tell me that it's not something serious! Or if it is, what can I do for him?

 

[gbolton]

This is not unusualy many fish do loose their colors at night. My hawkfish goes from brillant red to white with some dark splotches at night. Kinda cool I think. I can see it real well with my moonlight.

 

[fishman2000]

i have a dragonet and he dont change colors at night but my fox face does im not sure if thats normal for a dragonet

 

[Lower_Level]

Now he's really starting to concern me.

2 days ago, I found him floating upright at the top of the tank. He was covered in air bubbles & only moving with the flow of the powerheads. But still breathing and alive. I was sure that he was a gonner.

Next morning I look in the tank, net in hand and there he was, touring around on the bottom like usual, digging through the rocks looking for food.

What is going on with my little guy???

 

[Sregnar35]

Have you noticed any significant weight loss, what are your tank parameters??

 

[Max]

Yes, I agree with Stregnar. How long has your tank been set up and how much live rock do you have? Those little guys spend most of their time munching on copepods and will starve to death without enough of it in your tank. My Mandring doesn't change color I have noticed he will swim sideways etc like a lot of salties. I've never seen him at the top covered in bubbles though. Let us know your tank specs age etc and we can help you much better.
good luck
chris

 

[plantman1028]

mandarin

I have several in my 55 and none of them ever lost all their color.As far as floating,You know what that usually means.