What provokes the color change in the black skirted tetra?

[Angieness]

Hello!
I've noticed my black skirted tetras bottom fin is much blacker in the morning just when I turn the light on and seems to fade quickly into a grayish color as the morning progresses. Is it calmness, a sense of belonging, irritability, longing for lost loves? What provokes this color change? I've asked, but the fish aren't talking.

Thank you

 

[penguinfish]

Hi! Well...I heard that some of the tetra species change colour slightly because of the slower blood flow in the fish when they are still than when they are active. Maybe this is the reason!

 

[Angieness]

That sounds like a logical explaination! Thanks!

 

[BcBerri]

My BlackSkirt Tetras tend to lighten up if they are stressed. Like when I first turn on the light and wake them up or when I do water changes. Once all has settled back down and life is calm again they darken back up. If they stay lighter for long periods of time I would worry a bit.

 

[Galaxie]

I wonder if tetras are like cichlids?
My oscar goes white when he gets excited or frightened...or for about a minute after I first turn on his lights. He is darkest right after eating and at night while sleeping.

 

[Angieness]

I would have to agree really. One of my 6 black skirted tetras didn't survive during the quarintine period and when I found him his underbelly was completely white-- so I'll go with the assumption that the darker the tint the better off they are feeling.

 

[Hrafnkel]

My largest black skirt is the lightest, probably because he works himself up so much keeping his crew in check. The other guys are more laid back and are much darker.