Neon tetras... blue streak missing

[dvo112]

today, i changed about 20 percent of the water in my tank. after about 6 hours, i noticed that the blue streak on my neons weren't there. it was a pale purplish color. it wasn't like this before. I checked on them again about 20 minutes later and the blue streak was back. can anybody explain this?

 

[arcab4]

yup. i notice that when the lights go off..and i turn then back on in a few minutes, the neonblue streak is very very pale. i guessing that they work like those glowinthedark stars you see..they absorb the light..and then give off that bright neon glow.

that's just a guess. haha.

 

[ryanp15]

Good guess Johnny!

 

[JustSpongeIt]

That happened to me too before. It always happens is somthing stessful occurs. All my fish's colors seem to dull of fade while the lights are out. It a weird occurance but nothing to fear.

 

[Ovrclckd]

This is more evident in my marine fish, but fish dull their colors at night, not sure why. I have a fish that is black and white stripes during the day, but solid grey if i turn on the light at night.

 

[ryanp15]

Yeah my blood parrot has stripes and he losses them when the lights go out. My firemouths kinda lose some of the red under the throat too. Nothing to worry about ;D

 

[kitten]

It's all good

 

[Fish Monger]

I used to experience this with my cichlids as well.  My yellow Labidos and fuellerboni would lose most of their coloration at night, though it would quickly return in the AM after the lights came back on.  The cichlids actually seemed to enjoy water changes, as they would be their most vivid during, and up to a few hours afterwards.

 

[tabby360]

That happens to me all the time but if I turn off the lights then turn them back on later my neons lose all there color and there red becomes almost see through.
 matt.

 

[Fish Monger]

Since this happens to most fish when the lights go out, perhaps it's a natural defence against predators at night.  ???  That way, maybe the more colorful fish can better conceal themselves while they rest at the bottom during the dark hours.  Just a thought.