Powder blue gourami

[Moe]

I had 2 powder blue gourami in my 20G tank, but they did not get along so I moved one into a 10g tank with one painted glass fish, one ruby barb and one 2in. pleco. (It's not my tank - I didn't choose the other fish) All the other fish seem fine but the gourami is hardly blue, he looks really pale, he is sliverish with tan stripes. He is eating and swimming fine. I checked water parameters ammonia 0, nitrite 0, ph 7.5 temp 78 degrees. I do weekly water changes and feed flake food. Any ideas why this guy is so pale?

 

[OscarCichlid]

Are his fins ripped?? The barb may be Harrasing Him.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Moe

Stress could very well be the reason.

But, you could try adding spirulina and bloodworms (live or dried) or tubliflex worms to his diet. Perhaps the flakes aren't enough.

I think it's probably the barb, though.

 

[Moe]

I doubt it is the barb. It is a tiny ruby barb. He is less than one inch long. I've never had a problem with ruby barbs bothering anyone. The fins on the gourami are fine. No problem there it's just the color. I'll try feeding him something else. When he was in my tank he got tons of different things to eat so maybe that is it. I'll keep an eye on him.

 

[Moe]

One thing I just thought of is that my brother does not turn the fish tank light on, (he says he always forgets). When this fish was in my tank the lights were always on 12 hours a day. He was very blue when he was in my tank. I've read that if you keep goldfish in the dark they will loose their color. Do you think this could be the same with gourami? Their house is very bright so this fish is not in total darkness or anything, but the fluorescent light is never turned on. I'm going to try putting their light on a timer for 10 hours a day and see if it helps. If anyone has any more thoughts I'd love to hear them.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Moe

I just thought of something when you mentioned the light. What kind of bulb is on that tank? If it's a different kind of bulb it could be the reason your fish looks like it does. Bulbs cast different kinds of light and actually do cause the fish to look different.

I've recently moved my betta into another tank with a different kind of bulb and it now looks like he has bright red fins while in the other tank he appeared almost maroon.

If he is healthy, don't worry too much about his color.

You might try switching bulbs, or putting your light on that tank for awhile to see if that makes a difference.

 

[AquaNut]

Hi Moe

I would say it's definitely the fact that the tank light isn't on. Lateral Line gave an excellent explanation in the Cyprinids and Characins forum about why fish lose their colour when the lights are off. It has to do with being as little noticable to nighttime predators as possible. As Inchworm said, the other very important factor in fishes' colour is their diet. Bloodworms and spirulina, as mentioned, are good natural colour enhancers; I also find chopped, cooked shrimp is excellent for this purpose.

 

[smb]

Yea, I agree. I learned from my fishing experience that at night the best color lure that can be seen is black. Fish will try to lose all color possible at night so they are harder to see.

 

[Moe]

I put a timer on the tank light for 10 hours a day. I'll wait a few days and update. I will also get him some better food. Thanks for the great suggestions guys.