I have a 110G tank with several large gray color stones, Background is black, gravel is black. I have several dovii fry in the tank. Several doviis from the same batch was placed in a white container. When I needed the white container, I place all dovii fry in the tank. All the Dovii from the white plastic container was lighter in color. After a day or two, all the dovii became dark in color.
Eventually I was able to dispose the dovii. I got a 4-5 inch FH and placed him in the tank, after a couple of days, Fish became dark in color. I removed the black gravel and then the color became light again. The next day, the large gray stones that were upright was placed on the bare bottome tank to cover the white styro underneath. Fish became dark again in color. Stones were returned to their original upright position and the fish became lighter in color again
After two months, the fish is around 6 inches, I returned the black gravel... 2 days and counting the color of the did not changed.
My conclusion with my fish
Younger fish tends to mimic the color of their surrounding to avoid predation hence the changes in color. During maturity, the fish becomes bolder and much more confident that he no longer requires to change color as he is already is bigger and actually needs to stand out to attract a mate.
Eventually I was able to dispose the dovii. I got a 4-5 inch FH and placed him in the tank, after a couple of days, Fish became dark in color. I removed the black gravel and then the color became light again. The next day, the large gray stones that were upright was placed on the bare bottome tank to cover the white styro underneath. Fish became dark again in color. Stones were returned to their original upright position and the fish became lighter in color again
After two months, the fish is around 6 inches, I returned the black gravel... 2 days and counting the color of the did not changed.
My conclusion with my fish
Younger fish tends to mimic the color of their surrounding to avoid predation hence the changes in color. During maturity, the fish becomes bolder and much more confident that he no longer requires to change color as he is already is bigger and actually needs to stand out to attract a mate.
