Female Betta with light?

Question

I have a 10 Gallon tank with one female betta. She is a stunning red color. What I have noticed is when I leave the tank light off for a day or so, her color turns dull, almost a muted peach color. When I leave the light on for 12 or more hours she turns a deep blood red color. I have looked everywhere and I cant find an answer as to why. Thoughts?

Answer 1

What you are seeing is the result of several possibilites, two of which have already been well covered here which is the issue of light and dark cycles and mood. Mood is really linked to feeding and temperature to be honest, but is a possibility.

I would also suggest temperature as a strong possiblity. Watch for temperature changes that come with the color changes. Warmer water would give the better colors and maybe the light is affecting the tank temperature with left on longer periods of time. If you find this to be the casse, increasing your heatersetting a few degrees would stop the swings in color and tank temperature. Even a swing of 2-3 degrees could cause these color shifts, but would not be harmful to the fish.

Since you have identified that the color comes back under certain conditions, it's nothing at all to be concerned over.

MM

Answer 2

The first thing to understand is that bettas are more active during the daytime. Their colours may become richer and they will have higher energy levels. At night, they are more lethargic. They rest more often and swim slower; correspondingly, their colours also dull when they are lethargic. This is natural and perfectly normal.

The second thing to understand is: Bettas go through a "light cycle" just like we do. Imagine if one day, you woke up and found that the sky was bright all day round, 24 hours. It would be disorienting - you wouldn't know what time to do what (unless you had a clock, which clearly your betta doesn't.) Now, think of it from your betta's perspective. Your betta's "sky" is the aquarium light. When it's on, it's "daytime" - she's likely to be more active with richer colours. When it's off, it's "nighttime" - her colours dull, and she needs her rest.

Because of this light cycle, it's important to turn your aquarium light off at night. You don't have to turn it off the minute it gets dark, but maybe at a certain time like 11 pm, or whenever you go to sleep. Basically you just need to give your betta an idea of a "cycle" and a routine. Otherwise, your betta might become disoriented, not knowing when to do what, or tired out from having it "daytime" all the time.

Answer 3

it has something to do with mood. Mothers nature made it so you dont want to have bright pigment and standout in the wild when it is dark outside, thats how you get eatten and for bettas, that would be king fisher birds.

So when the light is off, it is like a mood, and they will get slower and duller.

Their really isnt much behind the whole color issue, so dont put much stock into it.

Answer 4

Betta's are known for their vibrant colors. Most Breeders place them in sunlight a few days before showing them. I am sorry but I don't know why but I will pass this on to another breeder and he should be able to explain why.

Answer 5

she's sleeping