Papa Panaque changing color

Sentido · Post by **Sentido** » 21 Jan 2004, 04:40

For the past 2 weeks, this L90c(?) has been changing to a lighter color, somewhat goldish, even in daylight and not only during nighttime. Is it stressed?

Contrast that to the bigger Papa Panaque which retains its dark colors. They are in a 75 gallon "panaque" tank.

http://pictures.care2.com/view/1/453193179

Post by **Silurus** » 21 Jan 2004, 10:58

Might be what's happening here.

Erwin · Post by **Erwin** » 21 Jan 2004, 14:34

I don't know if its the same phenomenon, what Heok Hee is reffering to, but that one also happened to the Baryancistrus in the old aqualog all-L-number book on page 7 (third row, named there L003 Panaque sp. "Tocantins"). Both pictures in this row show the same individual, I think. Gerald Kellner, the importer of these fish, received three specimen of the normal colored form in this XL-size. He placed one in a discus-tank. After a while this fish changed its color into a complete white. I don't remember any intergrade stages, but maybe there were some? He could sell that white individuum for a very good price, so he placed another one of the normal colored form into this tank, because these Baryancistrus are pretty good cleaner fish in an aquarium with discus fish, where lots of food is given. Only a few days later, the second Baryancistrus also changed its color into white. Of course we had the idea, that it is some kind of desease, that is responsible for this change of coloration. I have heard that there are bacteria that can "eat up" melanin cells. That must be something what happened to our good old Michael J. also. Are both just rumours?

Erwin

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 21 Jan 2004, 15:13

That must be something what happened to our good old Michael J. also.

rofl does it mean M.J. is Panaque sp. and not Homo sapiens? Tha would explain a lot...;)

Post by **Silurus** » 21 Jan 2004, 16:36

Actually, MJ is suffering from vitiligo, a skin disorder where pigment is lost from parts of the skin. While the causes of vitiligo are unknown, it does not involve bacteria eating melanophores, as you can induce the formation of melanin in the depigmented areas by using chemicals.
I don't know if fish suffer from vitiligo as well, but their condition seems to be different from that of humans (the whole fish changes color, not just in certain areas as in humans).

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 21 Jan 2004, 17:06

Hi!

not just in certain areas as in humans

Maybe im wrong but wasnt he completely "white" in that video with L.M.Presley? Is this illness always showing with white blotches?
Also do these changes happen only when the fish is put into soft water? Maybe some element is missing?

Post by **Silurus** » 21 Jan 2004, 17:27

Is this illness always showing with white blotches?

Yes. One form of therapy is to remove all of the pigmentation from the remaining areas of your skin, making it a single color.
I guess it's considered unbecoming for a superstar to show up in public all blotched like that ;)

Fiskars the Whiskers · Post by **Fiskars the Whiskers** » 21 Jan 2004, 17:58

He was on the cover of People magazine a couple weeks ago and was freakishly white. If they did "unblotch" him, I think they did too good of a job with the white pallor.