Colour changes

by **lilacamy931** on Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:55 pm

Ok guys except for the elusive marble genes, when do bettas change colours? I ask out of interest but also since Calcifer and the finrot incident he has had the red spread more on his fins and less blue. Perhaps illnesses and old age play a part? Curious (as always thumbup

)

by **jasminek** on Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:19 pm

For some reason i've always thought they changed colour in seasons? Autumn,Summer,Spring,Winter? Ahh that may just be me! Well alphie has got some lovely random scales of blue on him now and they've only come recently! :D

by **Wilsonnw8** on Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:25 pm

Its to do with a genetic blocker I believe, the blocker moves around the genetic helix and can block red for example (your betta loses all its red) but then later can shift and block blue. I think its sporadic which colour gene it blocks so your betta colours shift and change over time.

Hope that makes sense

by **jasminek** on Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:28 pm

Interesting! So why when you buy a new betta and give it a better life at your home does it change colours? Or is that to do what you mentioned above?

by **Wilsonnw8** on Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:43 pm

If you buy a new betta that was pale it is usually due to stress and we call it the "colour up" that is just your betta saying oo I like my new home I feel healthy and the brighter colour that appears is a healthy happy glow, just like when your ill or malnourished you will be pale a betta can go from pale to colourful when given the right conditions, this is a different situation to the marble gene

by **lilacamy931** on Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:21 am

Ah thanks Wilson Smile

Understood that thumbup

and very interesting to know

by **aly_starh** on Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:42 am

Sometimes its got to do with substrate colour aswell, like if the substrate is light, they will tone down. Whereas if the substrate is dark they will go darker... or so i've heard.

Smile

by **jasminek** on Wed Oct 21, 2009 3:04 pm

thats really interesting wilson! :D

by **Wilsonnw8** on Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:50 pm

I cant say Ive heard that happening with Bettas betta246 they dont really have the same genetic capability of a cuttle fish for example, but they will colour up for breeding (again this isnt a colour change just an enhancement)

Glad you guys found it interesting, Im happy I could help! Smile

by **Netty** on Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:22 pm

I think as well that the lighting and substrate colour makes a difference to how your fish looks and at certain angles they will give off different sheens to their body and fins.

Colour changes

Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes

Re: Colour changes