fish gone white...

[whiteoak]

Can anyone tell me why a Motaguese would lose all of it's color? I have not been too active with fish in twelve years, give or take, but I did keep alot of the more common cichlids for about fifteen years before slacking up on it. Never had anything happen like this female Mota slowly lose every last pigment of color over the course of a year. It is in a rather dark set-up, though. Is this maybe what happens to the Citrinellums, or whatever they are, that are white from darker depths but yellow to orange as they're found in shallower water? Thanks for any help.

[whiteoak]

Yes,I meant MotagueNse.oops

[Mrfiremouth]

This is a curious post. Can you provide some pics?
Also, fish tend to color down when stressed or in dimly lit environments.
To actually morph into a white fish as it matures is odd, I think but may be wrong.
That is why a picture would go a long way.
Also, what are your tanks water parameters in regards to pH, Nitrate, Phosphate and what type of foods do you feed the fish?

Thanks
~Rich

[Mikeinco]

Something doesn't sound right here. If i were you I'd do as Rich suggested and check your water. If your water checks out good I'll be surprised. Sounds to me like something is messing with your PH but I could be wrong. I hope you get it figured out.

[whiteoak]

I appreciate the replies.The water tests fine though I have no test for phosphates.Anyway,since I asked for ideas I have let much more light from the two seventy-five watt halogen flood lamps into the tank and could see a slight buttery-yellow haze here-n-there across the fish in question.Three days later now,there is an almost black coloration forming across the upper and lower lips.Looks like a buzzed-down goatee.And the yellow is deepening.I had let a vine grow all over the tank blocking out any direct light.It even had many roots up to twelve inches down into the water.The tank was originally set up for Jack Dempsies which I had read often come from swamp-type waters and they stayed absolutely beautiful in this dark set up.Then again,the substrate is very light-to-white river gravel, and the rock-work is all large white marble-it`s name around here-igneous,milk-white,not trasparent at all.Maybe the Motaguense was just`fading into the background`.We`ll see what becomes of it...Thanks.

[bobrfish]

wish we could view an image
still true - picture is worth a thousand posts