Member

Posts: 18
From:Tulsa, OK U.S.A.
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-13-2003 09:27 AM         

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Hi everyone. My gold severum has dark stripes on it. They have been there for almost a week. I don't know if this is its natural coloring, starting to show up, or if it has a fungal infection or something. The stripes appear natural enough- on both sides and on the fins ,all in the same pattern. But, I did not think gold severums had stripes- I know that my other one does not. Is this normal? Maybe it's a cross-breed or something? Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks so much!

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Kansas City
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-13-2003 10:48 AM         

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One of my gold severums is a solid creamy gold, but the largest one has very faint dark stripes on him. The smallest one had slightly darker stripes.

Mine didn't have strips on them when I got them, but began to appear about a month ago.

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Moderator

Posts: 806
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 10-13-2003 11:29 PM         

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While it is true that fish often change colors or markings when something is wrong in the tank, this is not the only reason. They change colors when they rest or sleep. They change colors when you add a new neighbor, or rearrange the tank, or the PH shifts slightly without it being a problem. Maybe you just introduced a new female in the tank and your male is showing off or vice versa. Maybe they are showing their spawning colors. Maybe you've altered his diet to something he likes better or doesn't like. There are thousands of reasons your fish may change colors without anything being wrong in the tank. They change colors the way that you use facial expressions. So DON'T go into a panic just because the colors are different. If you are maintaining the tank properly and you see a color change it shouldn't be anything to be overly concerned about. If you are concerned, test your water. Every problem that you have in the tank outside of parasites will show up in a thorough water test.

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Member

Posts: 18
From:Tulsa, OK U.S.A.
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 10-15-2003 02:56 PM         

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Great! Thanks to all of you who answered. I'm not so worried now. He/she (can't tell the sex!) seems very happy... other than being the beta fish, having to wait til the alpha is done eating before he/she can feed. It appears to be very healthy and the water conditions are great. Those stripes just worried me. Thanks again!

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