GSP color change with new substrate

[Barbel]

Hi everyone. This is my first post here but I've been reading these forums for quite a while. I'll start off by saying that I've spent quite some time searching the forums here for the answer to this question but haven't found anything on it. Anyway, I'm the happy owner of 3 very young GSPs who were doing very well up until yesterday, very brightly colored and active. I decided to change out my aquarium gravel and add in 100% black sand because I thought the look would make them stand out really well. The result of my choice was not as I had intended. All 3 of my little guys have since turned very dull in color, somewhat of a black tint to them all over. Prior to the substrate change I tested the water and had ammonia - 0, nitrites - 0, PH - 7.8, nitrates < 20 (haven't figured out why this is high yet). I just checked the water today after having the black sand in there for 24 hours and the readings are identical. SG is at .005 before and after change as well. I feel like I've ruled out water quality as a problem after testing today.

The only logical solution I can come up with is that they are trying to match their surroundings, resulting in a darker skin color. After doing a lot of searching, I am still unsure if GSPs change color in this way. If this is the problem, I'll probably swap out the black sand for something a little lighter to bring their color back. If they are not the type of animal that changes like this for camouflage, I'd like to know so I can figure out what is stressing them out and fix it.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[Brandon8521]

I would blame there color on the substrate aswell. When i had the blue gravel in my fw tank they seemed darker, and even when i had tan playsand my GSP still wasnt as bright as he is now that i have the really light colored reef sand in my tank. In my case it could have been the sg or the substrate but if your parameters are all fine i would lean toward them trying to blend in that and it could seem like a new tank and they are just settleing back in.

[Pufferpunk]

The only logical solution I can come up with is that they are trying to match their surroundings, resulting in a darker skin color.

100% true!

[xrayjeeper83]

sounds about right to me(but im not as smart as pufferpunk)

[pufferpuggirl]

Well keep in mind that if they were in the wild, and there was dark substrate and they were brightly coloured, they would stand out and be a meal for a predator ... but if they darken themselves and blend in with the surroundings, then they aren't as liable to be a meal, and therefore live a longer and happier life.

and also

[Barbel]

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad it's just the camouflage in them coming out and not another problem. I guess my next question would be, is there anything short of removing the black sand that would help bring their color back? Right now the tank looks really good, and I'd prefer to keep the sand, but not if the puffers are going to be this color forever. The tank has a couple big redish rocks with a few holes in them for hiding, and a few tall green and red plastic plants. I tried laying some white sea shells (clean) on top of the sand throughout the tank to see if that would bring some light into them but it didn't do much. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[SammyDee]

I use white aragonite sugar grain sized sand. My gsp's love it and are mostly bright green. I agere thou the black sand is very sharp looking but if you want there colors to show Id swap it for a white/ish substrate.

[pufferpuggirl]

I think, if you want your puffers to be a bit brighter, that you're going to have to change it out. I think it's just a natural reaction for them to become darker with they are in darker surroundings. Hard to argue with nature.

[Pufferpunk]

Light-colored background?

[Brandon8521]

I was thinking lightly colored background with some aragonite based rock ( the dry base rock you can get for sw tanks.)

[Pufferpunk]

Yeah, I think J-P had black sand with large white rocks in there & the tank looked very striking.