Neon neon

[Whitey]

I dunno if this topic has been done but i couldnt find it, the neon on the neon tetras body, if it dims slighty, looses its brightness, is this a problem? What does this mean?

And also sum neons get a 'pregnant' or 'fat' belly whats that about?

 

[WILDER]

They can go pale when they are sleeping or when you first have switch the tank light on, but there colour soon returns.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I agree with wilder, they can also go pale if they are being stressed out by other fish/their own shoal is too small or water quality conditions aern't adequete for them.

 

[Lateral Line]

The "neon blue" line on Neon Tetras is not a pigment. The cells responsible for it contain layered guanine crystals which refract and reflect incident light. If the light is coming from the wrong direction, this line will fade or disappear completely.

As pointed out, loosing true pigmented colour is frequently a stress sign however.

 

[andywg]

The pregnant looking fat belly is often the sign of a well fed female (most of mine look this way). If it bloats very large it may be the sign of eggs, though I doubt mine have ever bred so I can't discuss much in that area.