Darkened Clown Loaches

[jmz44]

I just recently changed the substrate of my 55 gal tank from aqua/black gravel to black sand. Since then I've noticed that the orangish-tan areas have really darkened up. It almost looks like charcoal was rubbed on their bodies. Then again, maybe it just seems darker and it's really a reflection from the black sand. Any thoughts on this.

As a side note, 3 days after the change I saw something hanging from one of my Albino Corys. At first I thought it was some type of parasite. Turns out it was a clutch (?) of eggs which she deposited on the front glass. I didn't know what to do but the swordfish sure did. First time I've ever seen this

[shari2]

Well, congrats on the spawning corys. When fish do what comes naturally, you know you are keeping them well.

As for the 'darkening' it could be that they are reacting to the darkened substrate. There is a painfully scientific paper that Martin posted not too long ago about melanistic fish and how the color moves about in cells...if you want to try to grok it just shout...I'm sure he'll dig it up for you...

[Martin Thoene]

Dig, dig.... http://www.molbiolcell.org/cgi/content/full/9/7/1613

The Cories spawning doesn't suprise me. They'll often react to a big change. I moved 3 seven year old + C. aneus last year from one apartment to another and put them into the newly set up 6 foot clown tank. They spawned almost straight away. So now I have a dozen

Martin.