Guppy fish is popular for many aquarium enthusiasts because of its vibrant colors. However, these fish can sometimes change color, breaking the heart of may. Have you ever witnessed a sudden change in color of guppy bodies and wondered what happened here? Why are they reacting like that? Where are that bright, vibrant colors? Why do guppy fish change color?
Guppy fish change color due to new environments, inadequate water parameters, poor water conditions, stress, exposure to sunlight, age, pregnancy, aggressive tank mates, sickness, and hunger.
To keep the color of guppy fish bright, high water quality and good food are essential. Also, choose the right tank mates, keep the tank away from sunlight, avoid overcrowding, and use medication to treat diseases if necessary.
In this blog post, we will cover all of these reasons in detail and provide tips on keeping the color of your guppy fish bright!
Do Guppy Fish Change Color?
Yes, guppy fish can change color. It is not new for people to question or witness this phenomenon. However, the Guppy fish is one of the most popular and colorful freshwater fish and come in various colors, patterns, and tail shapes.
Most guppy fish owners purchase them for their vibrant colors. And it is disheartening to see these colors start to fade away.
There can be several reasons for color fading in guppy fish. It can be due to a new environment, inadequate water parameters, poor water conditions, stress, exposure to sunlight, age, pregnancy, aggressive tank mates, sickness, or hunger.
If you notice your fish changing color, it’s important to check the water parameters and ensure they are within the correct range.
You should also provide plenty of hiding places as guppies hide to keep themselves safe and keep an eye on the fish to make sure they are not being harassed.
Finally, if you think your fish is sick, it’s important to seek medical treatment from a qualified veterinarian.
Why Do Guppy Fish Change Color?
Now that we have established that guppy fish do indeed change color, let us look at some of the reasons why they might do so.
Some of these reasons are natural and normal, while others might indicate a problem you should address.
I will list some of the reasons below, starting with the most common ones.
New Environment
One of the primary reasons your guppy fish might be changing color is because of a new environment. When you first bring them home, you place them in a new tank with different water parameters.
Or when you move your fish from one tank to another, or even from an outdoor pond to an indoor tank, it can stress them, which can lead to a change in color.
They may go through a “stress period” where their colors become duller. However, this is usually temporary, and the fish will eventually adjust to their new surroundings.
Inadequate Water Parameters
If the water parameters in your tank are not ideal, it can also cause your guppy fish to change color. This is because poor water quality can be stressful for fish and lead to several health problems.
You must pay attention to water parameters: pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. If any of these levels are too high or too low, it can cause your guppy fish to change color.
Lower temperatures will make your guppies go pale, while the higher temperature can cause your guppy to develop darker patches on their body. So, it is necessary to maintain ideal water temperatures in the guppy tank.
Poor Water Condition
Poor water conditions are the most common reasons guppy fish change color. If the water in your tank is not clean or has the wrong parameters, it can cause your fish to change color.
Please make sure you regularly change the water in the guppy tank and test the parameters to ensure they are within the correct range.
How can one not lose all the glow while living in unhealthy water? The best way to keep the color of your guppy fish bright is to maintain high water quality.
This means regularly changing the water and testing the parameters to ensure they are within the correct range.
You should also add a good quality filter to your tank and ensure you feed your fish a high-quality diet.
Stress
If your guppy fish are stressed, they may become pale or lose their color completely. There are several ways to reduce stress in your fish, such as choosing the right tank mates, keeping the tank away from sunlight, and avoiding overcrowding.
You can also try adding some live plants to your guppy tank, as this can help reduce stress levels. If you think your fish is sick, it’s important to seek medical treatment from a qualified veterinarian.
Exposure To Sunlight
You cannot imagine how a little sun can change the color of your guppy fish. The sunlight will cause the algae in the water to grow, which can turn the water green.
If this happens, move your tank to a shady area or cover it with a dark cloth to prevent the algae from growing.
Yes, guppies will eat some algae here and there, but they cannot clean the whole lot, so you must stay alert about the growth.
If your fish are exposed to sunlight for too long, they can get sunburned, which will cause their color to fade.
Age
As your fish age and guppy go through various growth stages, they will start to lose their color. This is because the pigments in their skin begin to break down and fade over time.
There is no way to prevent this, but you can ensure your fish are well cared for and have a high-quality diet to help them stay healthy as they age.
Pregnancy
When female guppy fish are pregnant, they often change color. This is because the hormones in their body cause the pigments in their skin to darken.
If you notice your fish changing color, it’s a good idea to check the water parameters and ensure they are within the correct range.
You should also provide plenty of hiding places in your tank for the pregnant fish to feel safe and secure.
Aggressive Tank Mates
If you have aggressive fish in your tank, they may cause your guppy fish to change color. This is because the stress of being bullied can cause the pigments in their skin to fade.
To prevent this, you should choose guppy tank mates carefully and ensure they are compatible with your guppy fish.
You should also provide plenty of hiding places and keep an eye on the fish to make sure they are not being harassed.
Sickness
If your fish are sick, they may change color. This is because the disease in guppies can cause the pigments in their skin to fade.
If you notice your fish changing color, you must take them to a qualified veterinarian for treatment.
It would help if you also quarantined any new fish before adding them to your tank to prevent the spread of disease.
Hunger
If your fish are hungry, they may change color. This is because the stress of being hungry can cause the pigments in their skin to fade.
Your guppies will not survive long without food, and the fading color is just one of the signs that they are heading to their demise.
To prevent this, you should ensure you feed your guppy fish a high-quality diet and provide them with plenty of food. You should also avoid overfeeding, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.
How To Keep The Color Of Guppy Fish Bright?
You can do several things for guppy fry to develop with the brightest color, such as maintaining high water quality, feeding them a high-quality diet, and choosing the right tank mates.
You should also keep the tank away from sunlight and avoid overcrowding. If you think your fish is sick, it’s important to seek medical treatment from a qualified veterinarian.
High Water Quality
One of the most important things you can do to keep your guppy fish healthy and their colors bright is to maintain high water quality.
You should test the water regularly and ensure the parameters are within the correct range in the guppy tank.
You should also perform regular water changes and use a good filter to remove impurities from the water.
Feeding Them A High-Quality Diet
Another important thing you can do to keep your guppy fish healthy and their colors bright is to feed them a high-quality diet.
It would help if you gave them various foods, including live food, frozen food, and pellets. You should also make sure they have access to plenty of clean water.
Choosing The Right Tank Mates
Choosing the right tank mates is important if you want to keep your guppy fish healthy and their colors bright.
You should avoid putting them with aggressive fish that may stress them out. You should also provide plenty of hiding places and ensure the tank is not too crowded.
Keeping The Tank Away From Sunlight
It’s important to keep the tank away from sunlight, as this can cause the color of your guppy fish to fade.
It would help if you either put the tank in a room that doesn’t get much sunlight or use a light cover to block out the light.
Avoiding Overcrowding
If you want to keep your guppy fish healthy and their colors bright, it’s important to avoid overcrowding.
It would help if you only put as many guppy fish in the tank as it can comfortably accommodate. You should also provide plenty of hiding places and ensure the tank is not too crowded.
Medication To Treat Diseases
If you think your fish is sick, it’s important to seek medical treatment from a qualified veterinarian.
Your vet will prescribe medication to treat the disease and help your fish recover. Your fish’s color may take some time to return to normal after they have been sick, but with proper care, they should eventually regain their original color.
Use Right Lights
Adding the right kind of light to your tank can also help keep the color of your guppy fish bright. The light should be bright enough to mimic the sunlight but not so bright that it will cause algae to grow.
If the light is too bright, it can cause your fish to become bleached or sunburned. You should also make sure you change the lights regularly to prevent the algae from growing.
Add Plants
Adding plants to your tank can also help keep the color of your guppy fish bright. The plants will absorb some of the light, which will help keep the algae from growing.
The plants will also provide hiding places for your fish and help keep the water clean. You should choose plants that are compatible with your guppy fish and ensure they are well cared for.
Plants produce oxygen and help keep the water clean, which can reduce stress levels and improve the overall health of your fish.
Why Is My Guppy Turning White?
If your guppy fish turns white, it could signify stress. Stress can be caused by several things, including poor water quality, inadequate diet, and aggressive tank mates.
If your fish is stressed, it’s important to reduce their stress levels. First, you should test the water quality and ensure the parameters are within the correct range.
You should also feed them a high-quality diet and provide plenty of hiding places. If the stress is severe, you may need to remove some of the fish from the tank.
Why Is My Guppy Turning Black?
One reason your guppy may be turning black is due to a change in environment. For example, if you’ve recently moved your guppy to a new tank, the change in water temperature or other conditions may be causing stress. This can change your guppy’s color from its usual bright hue to a duller black.
The black color indicates poor water quality. This is because the ammonia, nitrites, or other toxins present in the water can cause your guppy to change color.
If you notice your guppy’s color-changing, check the water parameters and ensure they’re within the ideal range.
Another reason your guppy may be turning black is sunlight exposure. If your tank is in an area that gets direct sunlight, the UV rays can cause your guppy’s color to fade.
Keep the tank in a well-lit but cool area to prevent your guppy from turning black. You can also try adding plants to your tank; they’ll provide shade and help keep the water quality high.
Conclusion
In conclusion, guppy fish change color for a variety of reasons. These reasons include stress, exposure to sunlight, poor water quality, and age. If you want to keep your guppy’s color bright, providing them with a high-quality diet, plenty of hiding places, and good water conditions is important. You should also avoid overcrowding and keep the tank away from direct sunlight. Finally, if your guppy is sick, it’s important to seek medical treatment from a qualified veterinarian. With proper care, your guppy will eventually regain its original color.
Thanks for reading! I hope this article helped you understand why guppy fish change color. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I’ll be happy to answer them as best I can. Thanks again!
Happy Fishkeeping!!
