FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I put three Serpae Tetras in a 20g Extra Tall tank. They have been there for two weeks but are tan colored and have not taken back their red color yet. Is this stress or a water quality problem?

Has anyone else had tan or grayish/brownish colored Serpaes?

Sounds like they're still somewhat stressed from the move. They were red at the store, so they'll be red once they get settled into the new tank. Doing water changes will speed up the process, and improve the health of all of the critters in that tank. It would be a good idea to test your water anyhow, just to make sure that the parameters are fine.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Thanks. That's kind of what I thought but it's been about two weeks now and they still do not have good color. They are eating well and appear otherwise happy. I'll give it a little while longer.

Hmm, lighting can also cause the colours to bleach out so you do not see them as bright as they should be I doubt it is the problem but it is a possible explanation, especially if they appear otherwise healthy.

I suggest you try what nick says, and if nothing improves mayb consider a new lightbulb, of a different temperature. dark gravel and background also help bring out the colours of the fish.

just an alternative, HTH
Megil.

rasboramary,

My computer screen is big enough to show the top three entries on the screen and I didn’t see Megil’s, but what he says was my first thought as well.

What is your current lighting situation like? What K value and Wattage? Also, how tall is an extra tall and where in the tank are the fish swimming (bottom?)

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Well, we may be on to something. My two other tanks have standard flourescent bright light. I tried a Sun Glo bulb in this tank. Also, the gravel is white. The fish go all over, but tend to stay near the bottom to middle. They are still "tan" in appearance. Their angelfish tank mate is thriving. The Serpaes look fine otherwise and are eating.

Maybe it is the light. That would make sense.

I'd be willing to bet it's the gravel as opposed to the light. White gravel is generally not recommended because it washes out the fishes' colors. And it's not just an illusion either - the fish make their colors lighter and less intense to better match the gravel. A colorful fish on a white background is an easy target.

---

I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Yep, I agree. Darker gravel should result in the fishes being a LOT more colourful.

Oh, and in the case of Serpase (and many other popular Tetras for that matter) another aspect of care that will colour them up enormously is this. Alternate feedings of live foods such as live Daphnia with a top quality colour flake, and in six weeks your Serpaes should be little jewels. Worked with my Lemons when I had them too, and works with just about ANY fish that has plenty of red coluration in its body. If you want to see your Serpaes sparkle, give them some dark gravel, a good selection of natural plants to play with, the odd bit of bogwood, and feed regular live food banquets. Watch them turn into real gems, and possibly start spawning for you as well!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

like what corry said maby you should get red gravel of but some color inhanceing food fome harkiri thats a fish food company and makes new products almost 2 times a week