colors of flattys

[blakeb]

Is there any rhyme or reason there is such difference in the colors of flathead's, i have caught them in several different colors on them same body of water, grey, yellowish, green, spotty some even almost black. Is it like the musky? barred stripped spotted?

[Larry FlatCaster]

I have two thoughts on this... with no real basis mind you.

1. Flats might have some slight ability to alter the color depending on location, though probably due to genetics. I wonder this with Bullies, mine can get really light color, I then put them all together in a smaller tank, same water and they get really dark, (almost chameleon like)

2. This one I would put a little more stock in... that when they get worked really hard they start taking on a little mottled coloring. The only reason I say this is that I've seen them look to loose some of the mottling after you work on reviving them.

Again just theories.

[UTkittycatcher]

I have read a few things that just confirm what Larry said. Many people think that the lactic acid build up and oxygen deprivation contribute to the darkness or the lighter colors. Also the environment which they are in is thought to be a factor

[Gordie]

I think you got it Larry and I was told by a bait guy that when you put bullies or minnows for that matter in a light colored tank they will lighten up so that is why (at least this is what I was told) the old minnow tanks are painted darker colors.

Not sure why the color phases are on these flats but AI sure do l;ike the differnet phases thou

[Larry FlatCaster]

You know its kind of funny on the bullhead color thing.

I have a white tank and I thought the light coloring was a health related thing.

So I've been going through this process of elimination for for the last couple years...

Chlorine

watertemp

ammonia

nitrites

nitrates

starvation

And then it comes down to chameleon ability's....(I'm banging my head on the desk now)

I spent a lot of mental energy and trial and error process of elimination to come to that conclusion.... where was this post about 2 years ago?

[wooduck26]

This is as yellow as Ive seen....cool looking fish!

[Mr Special]

I’m convinced that is not a Flat. However, I do think you caught the world record yellow bullhead =)

I think flat are one of the most diverse fish out there, in regards to color and shape. Which makes them even more awesome in my book.