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Lackluster Hypancistrus
Posted: 10 Nov 2004, 04:12
by saradora
I have an unidentified striped hypancistrus (I thought for a long time that it was an L333, but now I am not so sure and I am unfortunately a horrendous photographer). The fish used to have bold yellow squiggly stripes, but now the stripes are very faded and thinner. Its odontodes (on its gill covers and pectoral fins) have also diminished in size. This change occurred slowly over a period of about 4 months (including a move).
Any ideas?
Posted: 10 Nov 2004, 15:47
by Barbie
Usually reduced odontodal growth is due to water quality or diet not being up to their needs, IME. You might try some additional water changes and add some frozen meatie foods to the mix. It won't hurt him, and might cure your problem completely 
My L333 aren't nearly as yellow as some of the pictures I've seen. I just figured I'm missing something from the meal planner that they need to enrich that color.
Barbie
Posted: 10 Nov 2004, 18:22
by saradora
Thank you! Now that you mention foods, in his old home this fish lived with a black ghost that received frozen bloodworms every night (and of course a fair amount of the bloodworms got sucked up by the plecos). I will try feeding some bloodworms at night again and maybe he can get his bold stripes back.
Posted: 12 Nov 2004, 18:56
by jurassic_pork
You could also add hikari carnivore pellets to their diet
Posted: 14 Nov 2004, 19:06
by saradora
Thank you for the suggestions, I will get some Hikari carnivore pellets next time I am out because it is hard to feed frozen meaty things every night (and not so good for water quality). Since Barbie first replied to my post, I have fed frozen bloodworms and a frozen shrimp, and my fish's color is coming back. The stripes on its caudal fins, tail, and lower body are already much more visible.