Mandarin losing color

[dcforester1]

I have a Mandarin that has been in my tank for about 2mos. He eats plenty of pods, and frozen. He is fat and looks fine, except he has no color. He had it about 3hrs ago. I thought maybe he was just sick, but now I noticed my six-line is nowhere to be found. I finally found him curled up, and under a rock. Hes alive, but not looking good. Nothing has been changed/added to this tank in the last 3mos, except a RBTA, the Mandarin, and I bought a GFO/Carbon reactor from BRS, which has been hooked up for about a 1-2mos. The only reason that concerns me, is the carbon side looks looked like it might have some particles of the GFO in it, from the flow being to high. I wont be able to tell until tomorrow when I open it. Also I have the Carbon side full. I didnt know if the GFO leaching, or to much carbon could be a problem. Everything else in the tank looks fine, and all parm are good. Any sugg. The madarin isnt stressed, from other fish. I am stumped.

Also I have a cowfish? He was always light in color, and about 2mos ago he got really dark. Now I noticed he is very light again, he changed color today. I was told they could release poison, but I have heard conflicting reports from some club members. Maybe just a coincidence?? I was just reading Sherri post on losing fish in a QT, and thinking man that stinks. Now 2hrs later Im going to be netting 2 out of my tank. They dont look good at all.......


TIA Derek

 

[Takara]

Sometimes before lights go out my green mandarin starts loosing it's color for the night. My 6line wrasse is a super hider also at night.

 

[s_kelley]

My mandarin's colors fade at night and he curls up next to usually some closed zoa in an attempt to blend in

 

[Sherri]

How do they look this morning? And thanks ... it totally stinks.

 

[dcforester1]

I cant believe it, they did just lose their color. My mandarin was was white, I had never seen this before.The wrasse looks better,but he has some slime coming off of his fin. I dont know if this is something coming off of him, or something that got caught on him while he was swimming. It looks like it it wrapped on his pectoral fin. I will keep an eye on him, and see how he does today. Thanks for all the replys, and Sherri sorry for your loss. I know how you feel when something dies, and you feel like it is your fault. I feel that is the chance we all take when we start in this hobby.

 

[~Flighty~]

Most fish change color at night including mandarins. Totally normal for 1:36 AM.

 

[Sherri]

Glad they look better today. It is a risk but when it was totally avoidable, well you know, I am pretty hard on myself.