Fading color?

[Anike]

I have a red betta in a 2.5 gallon tank with a 15 watt light. I've only been using the light mid-afternoon and then shutting it off before going to bed. When I check on them in the morning, my red one looks like his color is washed out. Thinking, oh it's because the light isn't on, I turn it on and he still looks washed out! A couple minutes later, his color returns back into a vibrant red/pink. What is happening here? Would it be better if I just left the light on 24/7? Thanks for your input.

(ps: I have other bettas that don't have their color fade out when their lights aren't on, but then again, none of the others are red, they're blues and a pastel)

 

[420Loach]

is your betta old? every one ive had seemed to fade in color as they got old, but as for the color returning...got me there.

i currently have three bettas

1. (Monarch) all red, faded a little from when i bought him(over three years ago!!) hes the oldest of my bettas

2. (Artemis) dark black head with a mix of blue, red and black fins and tail. (his head looks gold in direct sunlight though.

3. (Swift) all bright red with black lines on tail and fins. (can only see them when he has his fins spread)

artemis and swift i bought at the same time and they are just about two years old. monarch doesnt do much anymore though, just sits on the bottom of his tank and comes up to eat when he sees me reach for the betta pellets.

i feed my bettas bloodworms three times a week since ive had them and their color started looking great!

 

[Anike]

I don't think he's too old; I got him from a pet store last week so I assume maybe he's around a year old (?). He looks active and healthy to me but I'm stumped about the temporary color fading...he's like a mood ring! I swear, he's washed-out looking when I first turn on the light and a couple minutes later, he's back to being his bright kingly self. Right now, I've been just feeding them Tetra BettaMin but I'll go and get some bloodworms too ^^.

 

[420Loach]

Artemis kind of does that too! but only the dark part of his head. it will fade in slowly from a yellowish gold tone to dark black color.

intresting...chameleon style! ha ha!!*laughingc

 

[theeyrietrainer]

Probably when they feel threatened or that they are sleeping too much!