Markings On Bristlenose

[jnms]

Hi all!

Well I finally have some fish in my tank. Got a lovely bristlenose today, she has been swimming around and checking out all the nooks and crannies of the tank, and has already cleaned up a good portion of algae.

Thing is, when I got her this morning she was entirely black in colour. Since then, her markings / patterns seem to have come out; take a look:

Can anyone tell me what this means?

 

[Corleone]

Most likely means she's settling in and getting over the stress of transport. My bristlenose was a different species, but when I got him he was entirely brown. He developed spots and white fin tips after a couple days. Many fish don't show their true colors right away.

 

[JenCliBee]

as C says patches marks are usually stress marks they will come and go depending on plecs mood but i wouldnt worry 2 much about it longs as there plenty of places 2 hide when need be then she should be fine



jen

 

[Amunet]

When we got our BN... in the store, she was brown w/ markings.
Brought her home, her color faded SO much. Actually scared me b/c she had gotten so pale, I thought she was going to die.
But she was just stressed from the transport and colored right back up once she was comfy in the tank.

Alot of fish will change colors when stressed out.
We have a Bolivian Ram who gets these big black splotches when it gets stressed out.

 

[jnms]

Thanks for the info guys.

So - do you think the markings are an indication of stress? Or an indication that she is settling in?

 

[Corleone]

Both, so to speak. Stress is common in new fish, sort of part of the introduction process. It generally passes as long as they're healthy and water quality is good.

I can't say for certain if the markings are stress from the move, or if the original black color was from stress and the new ones are normal, but since the fish is active, eating, and healthy, I wouldn't worry. Any stress from introduction will pass soon enough, if it hasn't already.