I tried taking photos last night, i need a new plan as they came out terrible. ill try to net the fish and put over a white background for greater contrast.
My only Monster - Apure Jelly Catfish
- Thread starter quasar
- Start date
You could net it and keep in water, bring in to the front glass, set up good bright lighting beforehand being mindful of reflection and glare, and take photographs.
i'll play around. I honestly never considered it may another species, but it has never been orange colored and i just assumed it came with age.
I wouldn't concern yourself about your fish's color too much as it just may be adaptive to it's general environment. Most all fish will change their color based on mood, water parameters, especially PH at times, water temperature, water clarity- muddy to clear, bottom substrate color, time of day, time of night, natural lighting and especially for many catfish, artificial bright aquarium lights. Also possibly due to inherited genetics from river of origin, or situational activities such as when feeding, stressed, before and during spawning activity, fighting with tank mates, etc. etc.
Here's an example of the contrasting color morphology from my batrochoglanis cat from 2 PM as opposed to 2 AM:
Commonly catfish and others will display lighter, higher contrast markings in complete darkness, doing their best to blend in and camouflage themselves for the purpose of feeding unnoticed to their prey or to not become prey themselves whether it be day or night time.
Here's some examples of differences in my similar species, L. Fowleri:
This color morph is an extreme example and not normal! I took this shot when I noticed how extremely bright orange it was that day and was concerned as to the possible cause. I immediately checked the PH and it was way low, like 6.0 or less! After I adjusted things, she later went back to normal coloration.
Here she is as a younger fish displaying juvenile markings:
This is more or less normal coloration for her:
This skin shot, thanks to y'all is from this afternoon, a bit more greyish than brownish today
The apurensis in question and dark coloring may be how it's reacting to living in a brightly lit tank, or not. Nocturnal catfish types usually find brightly lit tanks to be rather unpleasant, especially if there's no shady spots available and can cause some level of stress as a result. It may change to a different shade in the middle of the night, or not? Hope this helps, or not...
Here's an example of the contrasting color morphology from my batrochoglanis cat from 2 PM as opposed to 2 AM:
Commonly catfish and others will display lighter, higher contrast markings in complete darkness, doing their best to blend in and camouflage themselves for the purpose of feeding unnoticed to their prey or to not become prey themselves whether it be day or night time.
Here's some examples of differences in my similar species, L. Fowleri:
This color morph is an extreme example and not normal! I took this shot when I noticed how extremely bright orange it was that day and was concerned as to the possible cause. I immediately checked the PH and it was way low, like 6.0 or less! After I adjusted things, she later went back to normal coloration.
Here she is as a younger fish displaying juvenile markings:
This is more or less normal coloration for her:
This skin shot, thanks to y'all is from this afternoon, a bit more greyish than brownish today
The apurensis in question and dark coloring may be how it's reacting to living in a brightly lit tank, or not. Nocturnal catfish types usually find brightly lit tanks to be rather unpleasant, especially if there's no shady spots available and can cause some level of stress as a result. It may change to a different shade in the middle of the night, or not? Hope this helps, or not...
Got a picture of the fish from under the tank. Sorry for the slow reply, I’ve been working 7 days a week
