Barb coloration: Normal, or possible disease?

akangelfood · 06-25-2008, 11:39 PM

I've had a school of tiger barbs for about 2 months. They were in a 55 gallon tank with normal lighting (non-planted) and seemed fine. I've moved them to a planted 55 gallon with a better lgiht system.

Since doing so, I've noticed strange colors on their bodies. I know part of the tiger barb's natural coloration is irridescent, and I hear that it's more obvious under stronger lighting, but I'm not sure what I'm seeing is all that normal.

Many of them have a silver-blue irridescent tint, even on their black stripes. There aren't any classic signs of ich (salt look, rubbing on decor), they act normally, and none of my other fish (serpaes, corys, RTS, plattys) have been affected.

Is this just their natural coloration being enhanced by the lighting? Is it a sign of stress? Or a possible disease?

I've run numerous google searches and that results in me thinking that it's normal and natural, however I'd like another opinion.

Any input appreciated. Thanks!

blcknwitecuban · 06-25-2008, 11:58 PM

i guess it could be the lighting.. pictures would help though

**TheOldSalt** · 06-26-2008, 12:08 AM

They're fine.
They normally don't show it, but tigerbarbs do have some iridescence. They can fire it up bigtime for certain displays, and even turn green. Yes green. There is a commercial strain available that always looks iridescent green, in fact.

FishHead · 06-26-2008, 06:58 AM

Barbs will also have color changes due to water temp.

Ghost Knife · 06-26-2008, 10:12 AM

I have had my Tiger Barbs for several months now and not only have they gotten much larger, but they also have sported bright spots of orange, which I found out is also normal.

COM · 06-26-2008, 12:04 PM

If they're feeling good and well fed, kept in great conditions, and with proper lighting and they're from a good strain they'll get really amazing broad ranging colors. Typically you'll need a dark substrate to really make the colors pop in most fish.

akangelfood · 06-26-2008, 01:56 PM

Thanks, that helps ease my mind

All of the above makes sense here. They seem to be happy and healthy (with the exception of the runt who just won't grow). There are many differences between the 2 tanks, and I'm now sure that's why these colors are coming out. The tank they were in had lighter substrate and standard florescent lights. The tank I've moved them to runs about 2 degrees warmer, has a very dark substrate (mostly black), and much stronger lighting.

After getting some feedback, I feel a lot better about it. You've confirmed what I'd hoped.

Thank you!

06-25-2008, 11:39 PM	#1
akangelfood Kixxy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Age: 29 Posts: 255	Barb coloration: Normal, or possible disease? I've had a school of tiger barbs for about 2 months. They were in a 55 gallon tank with normal lighting (non-planted) and seemed fine. I've moved them to a planted 55 gallon with a better lgiht system. Since doing so, I've noticed strange colors on their bodies. I know part of the tiger barb's natural coloration is irridescent, and I hear that it's more obvious under stronger lighting, but I'm not sure what I'm seeing is all that normal. Many of them have a silver-blue irridescent tint, even on their black stripes. There aren't any classic signs of ich (salt look, rubbing on decor), they act normally, and none of my other fish (serpaes, corys, RTS, plattys) have been affected. Is this just their natural coloration being enhanced by the lighting? Is it a sign of stress? Or a possible disease? I've run numerous google searches and that results in me thinking that it's normal and natural, however I'd like another opinion. Any input appreciated. Thanks!

06-25-2008, 11:58 PM	#2
blcknwitecuban SuperCowMonkeyShiner Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 17 Posts: 496	i guess it could be the lighting.. pictures would help though __________________ Yeah there are many fish in the sea.. but i think i'll stick to the lakes and rivers for now.

06-26-2008, 06:58 AM	#4
FishHead What are you looking at? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NJ Age: 28 Posts: 599	Barbs will also have color changes due to water temp. __________________ 13 barbs (4x tigers, 2x greens, 3 odessas, 4 albino) 5 australian rainbowfish 4 buenos aires tetras 1 angelic pim catfish 1 pictus catfish 1 Spotted Hifin pleco 2 opaline gouramis 2 blue gouramis 5 panda cories 1 red tail shark 9 cherry barbs 2 Lionhead goldfish 1 black moor (saved from walmart) 7 peppered cories 3 swordtails 1 bristlenose pleco

06-26-2008, 10:12 AM	#5
Ghost Knife Permanent Fishaholic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mississippi Age: 26 Posts: 196	I have had my Tiger Barbs for several months now and not only have they gotten much larger, but they also have sported bright spots of orange, which I found out is also normal. __________________ 55G (Upgrading to a 135G soon) 4 Tiger Barbs 4 Albino Cories 4 Emerald Cories 2 Rosy Barbs 2 Serpae Tetras 1 Black Ghost Knife (8") 1 Common Pleco 55G 4 Black Moors 3 Golden Dojo Loaches 2 Red Cap Orandas 1 Comet 1 Black Kuhli Loach 1 Common Pleco 29G (For Sale) Lots of Ramshorn Snails 5 Long-Finned Zebra Danios 4 Glowlight Tetras 3 Peppered Cories 1 Clown Loach (For snail eating purposes and it's working) 1 Ghost Shrimp

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06-26-2008, 12:08 AM	#3
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,476	They're fine. They normally don't show it, but tigerbarbs do have some iridescence. They can fire it up bigtime for certain displays, and even turn green. Yes green. There is a commercial strain available that always looks iridescent green, in fact.

06-26-2008, 12:04 PM	#6
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 751	If they're feeling good and well fed, kept in great conditions, and with proper lighting and they're from a good strain they'll get really amazing broad ranging colors. Typically you'll need a dark substrate to really make the colors pop in most fish.

06-26-2008, 01:56 PM	#7
akangelfood Kixxy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Anchorage, AK Age: 29 Posts: 255	Thanks, that helps ease my mind All of the above makes sense here. They seem to be happy and healthy (with the exception of the runt who just won't grow). There are many differences between the 2 tanks, and I'm now sure that's why these colors are coming out. The tank they were in had lighter substrate and standard florescent lights. The tank I've moved them to runs about 2 degrees warmer, has a very dark substrate (mostly black), and much stronger lighting. After getting some feedback, I feel a lot better about it. You've confirmed what I'd hoped. Thank you!

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