Black Widow Changing Colour

[Jess]

Hey,

Not a problem, just curious!

Why does my Black Widow Tetra change colour sometimes? Sometimes it's really dark coloured like this : http/groups.msn.com/JesssPage/fishpix.ms...oto&PhotoID=269 and sometimes its really light like this: http/groups.msn.com/JesssPage/fishpix.ms...oto&PhotoID=270

Anyone know? Oh, and how can you tell if they're male or female?!

Jess

 

[noelberg]

I know stress can make most fish lighter in color, but my black widows never seem too stressed. The black on the fins also gets paler with age.

I know that live food (bloodworms, etc. and sometimes a stray swordtail fry) will cause their black color to darken. But keep us updated if you find out any other reasons

 

[Jess]

Those pictures were taken ten minutes apart so i cant think it could have got too stressed in that time!lol

It doesn't eat bloodworms. I feed them to the rest - but the black widow wont touch them... weird!!

I shall keep an eye on it and see if i can work out what causes it!

Jess