Leporinus again.

[Greeny]

My two Leporinus' (leporinii?) have suddenly become much darker in colour.

Do fish sometimes get darker in colour if they are under stress or feeling aggressive or mating?

They have been behaving oddly the last few days...swimming side by side and flicking their tails together. And one chases the other around.

Today they seem sluggish and I'm worried. No spots, their fins look fine. Ammonia and Nitrites are zero, Nitrates about 30 to 50.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Greeny.

 

[Animal_fanatic]

I've heard they grow darker when they age. I could be wrong though because I've never had two of them in a tank together, but the older they get the more of a dark greenish color bands they get. What kind of Leoporinus is it?

 

[Greeny]

They are Black Banded Leporinus. I don't think they are very old, but they are at least 3 because they have 10 stripes.

 

[Animal_fanatic]

Yea if their bands are growing a really dark greenish color, it's usually from age but if it's a color all over their body I've never heard of it. Either way I would probably ask someone else for a second opinion. My fish have never gotten sick so it could be something I've never experienced.