[Cheez]

I got my first bristlenose about two weeks ago and put it in my fully cycled tank. After a few days I started noticing discoloration on the body and fins. This discoloration is a white/cream color that forms in blotches and tends to accentuate the natural spots by making them brighter and bigger. I first noticed the spots in the morning and by the afternoon the bn was normal color. Therefor I assumed that the tank wasn't aerated enough at night. The next night, I dropped an air stone in there and woke up to a completely normal bn. Unfortunately, I came back about an hour later and he had the spots again. After further inspection, I would notice that the spots would just come and go at a whim. Today I looked at 2 pm and the bristlenose had the discoloration shown in the picture. I came back at 3pm and they were nearly completely gone. I sat down in front of the tank and I literally watched the discoloration form over a period of 5 minutes. This is strange. Is this the normal "adjusting to environment" response that I've read online about bristlenoses or something more sinister? Other than the color, the bn is doing fine and is eating and pooping like crazy. Thanks for the help and I apologize for the crummy pictures.



My tank is a planted 26g bow with eco substrate and diy CO2.
Ph - 7.1
Temp - 78
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 8

 

[lauraleellbp]

Most fish have the ability to change their color at least somewhat in response to their environment and/or moods. If the spots come and go and aren't the result of some sort of fungus or growth, I'd tend to lean towards it's the fish just coloring up for whatever reason. It does look odd in the picture, though, so I probably would keep an eye on him for a while.

 

[plakat]

My sub male does this when the dominant male is around. He also gets very flat and fans his fins in an odd manner. If it looks like snot on him or other damage then you have a problem. Just watch him Odds are your fish will be ok.

 

[Lnb]

My BN plecos will change color depending on their mood and if they're sexually aroused. It's perfectly normal. I've got a nice adult female with the same exact coloring as yours.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[Cheez]

Good to hear and thanks for the input everyone! If he's sexually aroused though he might be having an identity crisis because the tank only has corys in it at the moment!

 

[lescarpentier]

My common does that too when he is in a bad mood.