Clown Loach Greying Out

[Raf485]

Hi, is there any timeline as to when Clown Loaches start to grey out. I currently have 6 Loaches in a 6.5 x 1.5 x 2 Ft tank. They are around 2 inches in size, feeding well, and seem happy in the tank.

water parameters are all ok as well.

I know that over time they do start to discolour, but only 1 of the 6 is showing this.

My query is this normal at this early age or should i be worried there is something wrong. Have noticed it for the last week or so.

Other tank mates are:

3 x Amano Shrimp
1 x Cherry Shrimp
2 x Golden Algae Eater
9 x Kuhli Loaaches
8 x Neon Tetra
4 x Golden Danio

Thanks
Raf

 

[D1s]

In my lfs they have a tank with 5 in and there about 7" long and very deep in colour not graying off. Maybe your one is hiding alot and not getting alot of light?

 

[Raf485]

In my lfs they have a tank with 5 in and there about 7" long and very deep in colour not graying off. Maybe your one is hiding alot and not getting alot of light?

they are all very active, will keep an eye on them though. it is only slighty greyin, sill has it color. the other loaches ar still deep in color

 

[tribalbrit]

Females tend to go pail now and then, dont worry they'll go back to normal soon. Mine are about 8" and 20+ years old, they do it now and again, I think it's something to do with competing for domenancy.

 

[Raf485]

Females tend to go pail now and then, dont worry they'll go back to normal soon. Mine are about 8" and 20+ years old, they do it now and again, I think it's something to do with competing for domenancy.

Cheers for info, i was 90% sure it wasnt ill, but thought i check

 

[tribalbrit]

Just read your list of tank mates. You might want to re-home your shrimps, The clowns will eventually eat them.

 

[Raf485]

Just read your list of tank mates. You might want to re-home your shrimps, The clowns will eventually eat them.

Cheers, still got my old smaller tank. Might set it up in the babys bedroom and have a shrimp only tank going.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Clowns will lose color and look "grayish" as a sign of submission. When two get into it, eventually one wins and the other loses. The loser grays up a lot to signify it gives up. (They may also both gray while fighting but the winner colors back up way sooner.) They will also gray when under other causes of stress as well. Normally they regain their colors.

The other thing is that bigger clowns get the less they tend not to have as vibrant coloring as smaller ones do.

Yo can see examples of this at http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus

 

[Raf485]

Clowns will lose color and look "grayish" as a sign of submission. When two get into it, eventually one wins and the other loses. The loser grays up a lot to signify it gives up. (They may also both gray while fighting but the winner colors back up way sooner.) They will also gray when under other causes of stress as well. Normally they regain their colors.

The other thing is that bigger clowns get the less they tend not to have as vibrant coloring as smaller ones do.

Yo can see examples of this at http/www.loaches.com/species-index/clown-loach-chromobotia-macracanthus

That is very informative, and would imagine is the case. As i have red up one would take the alpha position in the group.

Thanks for this reply.