brichardi owners

[krap101]

as my brichardis got older, bred, and later, i found that they started to have some blue spots. it doesnt look like a disease, but it doesnt look right either.

[Devilishturtles]

Picture?

Likely normal coloration, IMO.

[krap101]

i doubt its normal coloration, since im pretty sure they were adults when i bought them.

pictures are hard because their always under their rock and hard to get good color without it being washed out with the flash.

[TankGirl]

Where on their bodies are the blue spots? Are they on the gill plates? I want to say it is normal, too.

[krap101]

hmm its more of a greyish brown with a tinge of blue. a couple of the babies have it, but the mom's lost it.. the spots around the "facial" area.

the parents may have gotten it because i moved the tank across the room, but that wouldnt explain why the babies would have it because there is nothing to stress them..

[TankGirl]

Sometimes they will have almost a "snakeskin" appearance with blue and sometimes yellow around their "face" and gill plate area - I think what you describe is normal coloration, and is good, because these colors indicate good health. Brichardi from different areas of the lake will have specific amounts of blue/yellow, or lack thereof depending on which part they are found.

Your male, as he matures, will also likely get a hump on his head, which he may or may not have already. The hump and the blue coloration often don't show up until the fish are fully mature, even though they may have already spawned as sub-adults.

No cause for alarm.

[krap101]

heh i was wondering whether to say it or not. while i was staring i saw the hump . made me think of a mini frontosa type thing.

[TankGirl]

Sounds like you have some happy, healthy fish there. Also, while you are staring, you ought to be able to see some serious teeth peeking out of their mouths, especially after the hump becomes pronounced on the male.

[krap101]

heh i noticed that before the humps and the spots. their too cautious to bite me i think.. but it has scared me. a guy at the petland here said he got bit by a.. some shelldweller. he said it hurt like heck.

from what i saw they only have like 2-4? noticably.

[TankGirl]

Yeah, they are too timid to bite you. There are several very frisky shellies that I can see nipping if you come too close to their shell, though.