I have read alot that light dempseys generally mean sick dempseys. Mine changes color in the blink of an eye. If its hanging in its flower pot its a dark brown/green, with spectacular coloration in her fins, etc. But when she comes out and swims around, she turns a light brownish/tan color. Nothing seems to be wrong with the fish, it eats, fins are always spread out, seems to be growing at normal dempsey rate etc. I think it might be because I have white gravel, there also isnt a back ground and the tank is against a white wall. The fish is about 6.5 inches, got her last summer when she was a baby. What are your thoughts on this.
Jack dempsey coloration
- Thread starter ROLLIN
- Start date
jack dempeys change colors all the time...It all depends on the mood on the fish. If JD turns into a lighter color...that is generally due to stress
I've got two tanks with two different gravel colors and backgrounds. One has dark blue gravel (I didn't buy it) and a black background. The other has lighter, natural gravel and a light blue background. Over the last couple of years when my JD's have been in the darker tank they tend to be darker. When they are in the lighter tank they tend to be lighter. They are just trying to blend in with the surroundings, as any fish will.
Sure, sometimes the JD's get light in the dark tank and dark in the light tank, and that is usually when aggression is involved.
Any cichlid will change its color based upon mood, but when they stay a unusual color (say purple and green polka dot) for any amount of time, then you have a problem.
Sure, sometimes the JD's get light in the dark tank and dark in the light tank, and that is usually when aggression is involved.
Any cichlid will change its color based upon mood, but when they stay a unusual color (say purple and green polka dot) for any amount of time, then you have a problem.