Angelfish have been favored by aquarists for a long time thanks to their beauty and fluid movements.
They can make a great house pet for your tank, with the new variations constantly attainable. So, why is my angelfish changing color?
This post will help you answer this question. Let’s scroll down for more now!
Contents
Can Angelfish Change Its Color?
The short answer is Yes. Angelfish can change color depending on their environment, mood, stress level, spawning season, etc.
The fact that they change colors throughout the day is normal. So don’t worry.
These fish can go for a few months without changing colors but sometimes may change once or twice daily, depending on the circumstances.
Sometimes, they change their color so often that you can’t even notice.
It is only concerning when the color change comes with odd behavior and other physical changes, which can indicate sickness in your fish.
How Do Angelfish Change Color?
These fish feature two skin layers, including the Epidermis and the Dermis.
The Dermis contains chromatophores, and these cells play an essential role in the development of scales.
Chromatophores are found in many animals, including amphibians and reptiles.
They’re related to the eye and skin color, and they’re usually grouped into sub-classes based on color.
Their ability to change color is attributed to melanin and melanosomes.
Melanosomes are concerned with the synthesis of melanin, which is a substance that can absorb light.
By keeping the storage and movement of melanin under control, melanosomes can control angelfish color.
Once melanosomes have been distributed throughout the melanophores, the stripes of angelfish will fade.
The wider the melanosomes are spread, the lighter the bars become until they disappear totally.
Some individuals lose their color in a few minutes. As for others, the transformation may happen.
Regardless of the dangerous or harmless cause, you should know that it is normal for angelfish to change their color.
What Causes Angelfish Changing Color?
Many factors can trigger a color change in angelfish, including:
Illness
Sick angelfish can lose their color, depending on what type of their illness and how fast it is eating away at their life. The color change might happen slowly or quickly. Besides fading color, here are a few common signs of this:
- Torn fins
- Be attacked by other fish.
- Protrude or lost scales.
- A lack of appetite
- Holes, spots, or bulges.
- Unusual swimming patterns.
Hunger
When angelfish have a poor diet or are hungry, their color may begin to fade. It typically happens slowly, so you can catch it before your fish get too unhealthy.
Avoid over-feeding them by pouring more food into the tank. Instead, wait and watch if they can reach the food before it is all out.
On the other hand, angelfish skin can become more vibrant to catch your attention since they are hungry.
That change can happen quickly and usually when you pass by your tank.
Aggression
The color of angelfish will become more intense when they’re fighting. This tactic is used to:
- Frighten their opponent.
- Establish dominance.
- Confuse the senses of others.
Also, here is some common signs of aggression:
- The color of your angelfish suddenly becomes bright.
- It’s swimming rapidly around other aquatic inhabitants.
Sleep
Angelfish often lose their color when they sleep. It happens because, like any species with cells and tissues, angelfish get super tiny all over their muscles and brains once the day goes on.
When sleeping, their body will focus on regenerating those microtears, which is why most living organisms need sleep.
When angelfish restore any microtears in their bodies, this process takes energy.
So, rather than utilizing the energy to maintain the skin’s vibrant pigment, the color typically becomes dull when they are sleeping.
This process is typically quick, and your angelfish doesn’t take long to switch from dull to colorful.
Age
As angelfish grow, they will become healthier and stronger, resulting in more colorful scales.
The opposite will happen when they are old, so they may be unable to maintain their scales like they used to.
Light Conditions
There are many theories surrounding this claim but no concrete information.
Many believe that the lighting conditions can impact the color of fish.
They base this claim on the fact that some fish, such as goldfish and koi, require natural light to form the pigment in their skin.
Many aquarists report their angelfish stripes faded in dark rooms and returned to their original state when placed in a bright environment.
Food And Diet
If the color of angelfish is fading, the current diet could be improper. Pellets and flakes are popular among fish keepers.
Consider adding some frozen or live food to their diets to boost their nutrient intake.
Water Quality
Angelfish are hardy creatures, but they must be raised at a specific pH and temperature range to stay healthy and active.
If your tank water deviates from the proper range or some elements like nitrates and ammonia corrupt the water, angelfish will experience stress or illness, which can cause discoloration.
FAQs
How Can You Tell If An Angelfish Is Stressed?
When angelfish are stressed, they may be more aggressive, hide away for an extended period, or swim at frantic speeds.
Why Do the Stripes on Angelfish Fade?
Angelfish may fade their stripes, allowing them to blend in with plants to hide from predators.
If your aquarium has no plants, angelfish will fade their stripes even more. It may be paired with hiding at the very bottom of your tank.
They try to match their stripes to the color of the sand and rocks. They’ll stay there until they feel the danger is gone.
Why Is My White Angelfish Turning Yellow?
Silver or zebra angelfish may change to a yellow hue when stressed, mating, or randomly.
But other types may become yellow because of overcrowding or poor water quality.
Why Is My Angelfish Turning White?
The culprit could be a lack of oxygen in your tank.
Why Does Angelfish Turn Black?
An explosion of black coloring on angelfish typically means they are comfortable and happy.
Final Thoughts
Angelfish changing color is a common phenomenon.
They may change colors as they sleep or grow. In addition, it can also be improper pH level, temperature, and food. Stress is also a common cause.
So just leverage the warning signs from your angelfish, and make the necessary adjustments to ensure they stay healthy. Thank you for reading!
