Blue Acara Changing Colour?

Zildjian-Man · 06-17-2006, 06:20 PM

Hi.
I recently got a 3 inch Blue Acara, and I've noticed that it changes colour very quickly. It always keeps those shiny blue spots but one second it will be so stripey it looks almost like a convict, but then after about ten seconds its just plain grey.
Is this normal?

**Cichlid Man** · 06-18-2006, 07:38 AM

Most cichlids and labyrinth fish can change their colour depending on their mood and condition. Blue acaras actually turn blue when breeding hence their name. When they get stressed they usually go stripy to try and blend in with their surroundings. If they are the subdominant fish in the tank, they usually turn a lighter colour to make themselves look less threatening to larger fish.

craftyflalady · 06-19-2006, 04:30 PM

My Blue Acara's actually darken up alot when getting ready to spawn or when they have fry. Do you have a pair in there? you might wanna look for eggs or wigglers

Zildjian-Man · 06-21-2006, 01:54 PM

no just one...should I have a pair?

craftyflalady · 06-21-2006, 02:09 PM

not unless you want babies? The change in color is very common in cichlids. They turn colors if they are being aggressive, or are being bullied. I would watch the tank and see what is going on. But not something I would really worry too much over.

Zildjian-Man · 06-21-2006, 06:00 PM

no its the biggest one in the tank and i look at my tank alot, and none of the fish are going anything to it and its not doing anything to the others.

06-17-2006, 06:20 PM	#1
Zildjian-Man yes i am a member.... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Age: 15 Posts: 37	Blue Acara Changing Colour? Hi. I recently got a 3 inch Blue Acara, and I've noticed that it changes colour very quickly. It always keeps those shiny blue spots but one second it will be so stripey it looks almost like a convict, but then after about ten seconds its just plain grey. Is this normal?

06-18-2006, 07:38 AM	#2
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	Most cichlids and labyrinth fish can change their colour depending on their mood and condition. Blue acaras actually turn blue when breeding hence their name. When they get stressed they usually go stripy to try and blend in with their surroundings. If they are the subdominant fish in the tank, they usually turn a lighter colour to make themselves look less threatening to larger fish. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

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06-19-2006, 04:30 PM	#3
craftyflalady Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 50 Posts: 397	*My Blue Acara's actually darken up alot when getting ready to spawn or when they have fry. Do you have a pair in there? you might wanna look for eggs or wigglers*

06-21-2006, 01:54 PM	#4
Zildjian-Man yes i am a member.... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Age: 15 Posts: 37	no just one...should I have a pair?

06-21-2006, 02:09 PM	#5
craftyflalady Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 50 Posts: 397	not unless you want babies? The change in color is very common in cichlids. They turn colors if they are being aggressive, or are being bullied. I would watch the tank and see what is going on. But not something I would really worry too much over.

06-21-2006, 06:00 PM	#6
Zildjian-Man yes i am a member.... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Age: 15 Posts: 37	no its the biggest one in the tank and i look at my tank alot, and none of the fish are going anything to it and its not doing anything to the others.

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