I have a question and would like some advice.

I have some tanks at my other home and in one of them I have two very nice Hoplos. I have had them about 6 or 7 months now. I bought them when they were about 1" and they are now over 3" and fat - like small cigars !. They are a feature of that tank as they are very playful - like a pair of playground toughs - they will even take brine shrimp paste out of my hand and they love the flake that sinks to the gravel.

I havn't been to that house for a few months and my eldest son has been looking after the fish. He is highly competent and knows how to water change and feed correctly.

He phoned me the other day and told me that they had turned from brown to a pinkish color. All the water readings were perfect and they seemed healthy and active but he was worried by the color change. told him not to worry and that I have read that hoplos can change color when they become sexually active.

Is this what is happening and does this mean that they are both male ?

Colin

The males take on a purple hue to their underbellies when ready to spawn (they also become very aggressive ).If they are trying to spawn they will attempt to construct a bubble nest held together with bits of plants.
Catfish turning pink is usually a sign of low oxygen levels, have the fish been going to the surface more often than usuall ? I would suggest a large water change of around 30 or 40 % and see if the colour returns to normal.The colour could also be pigment from eating too much shrimp, if you dont already try varying their diets with bloodworms and catfish pellets, mine love the pellets by JMC which are a ideal size for medium sized cats like hoplos.

Thanks CFC.

That tank gets a 30% change weekly and I have air stones but the weather in Malta has been very hot lately so the tank temperature is higher than normal.

I will tell him to do another change straight away and I will increase the turbulance on the water surface.

I really appreciate the advice - thanks a lot !