opaline colour change

[themagpie]

I have 3 opaline gouramis (one of the prettiest freshwater fish IMO ). I've noticed that their colours range from a well defined baby blue a really dark and rich navy blue. The male usually shows the colour change first and within 30 seconds to a minute the females changed as well. I was wondering what factors contribute to these changes.

-magpie

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Lighting causes changes. When are you noticing the change? First thing in the morning?

 

[themagpie]

It doesn't seem to be a morning or night thing. They seem to change several times during the day. It seems to happen more when they're playing around with eachother though.


one more question off topic:
Do mystery snails eat up live plants pretty fast or do they mainly stick around on the sides of the tank?