The Puffer Forum

As I have written before I have 2 new fig 8's that came home with Ich, I'm treating as suggested with salt, temp, Melafix. They are both eating and fairly active. My question is they are close in size with one (lighter one)a little larger, white bellies but one is brighter yellow gives a all over kind of light bright yellow coloring, the second has the white belly but is darker looking not as bright of yellow or contrast in coloring and her lips are kind of a gray. Is this because they have Ich and she is sicker or is there a verity of shades and brightness in the figure 8's with some looking kind of dark?

i think the best thing you can do, before concerning yourself about whether your F8's are the same colour or not, is to rid them of ich first.

I have seen numerous instances where there is variation in belly colour and slightly more obviously, the markings on the back of the fish (and I think, if i remember right, one of the heavy posters/mods here had a puff with an almost black belly (though this was in the days of the old forum) wich was perfectly healthy).

After a couple of weeks you will begin to learn how your puffers are "feeling". Generally, if the ich clears up and they are eating and swimming well and showing no signs of illness (or any other reason for you to be concerned), then you'll be the best judge of their colouring.

Seldom will you find 2 identical puffers in markings or colouring, but they should be healthy providing you continue to look after them and observe them - the latter is one of the most important, yet simple tasks an aquarist has to perform - in fact, i'd say 100% enjoy this task!