Why Do Angelfish Stripes Fade? (Reasons Behind & Solutions)
Angelfish are more popular in the home aquarium trade for their beautiful stripes. As a result, they make the environment of the aquarium tank more lively.
Although they look beautiful, sometimes they are seen to fade. Many aquarists search online to find out why the stripes of these fish are fading.
Everyone has the same question as you, why do Angelfish stripes fade? Let’s find out the answer together!
One common reason is due to stress. Stress can be caused by a variety of things, such as poor water quality, lack of food, or aggression from other fish.
When Angelfish are stressed, their bodies produce a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol breaks down the cells that contain pigment, causing the fish to lose their colour.
In addition, Angelfish stripes may also fade due to poor diet. These fish need to eat a variety of foods in order to get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and vibrant.
If you think your Angelfish stripes are fading, the first thing you should do is check the water quality. Make sure the pH levels are stable and there is no ammonia or nitrites present.
Why do angelfish stripes fade in aquarium tanks?
Angelfish have won the hearts of aquarium lovers all over the world due to their bright appearance.
Their stripes play a major role in this bright look. But sometimes these stripes fade for a temporary period.
Many people do not have an exact explanation as to why their stripes fade.
But after researching the Angelfish in my aquarium, I found 10 proven reasons behind this fish’s stripe fading.
Angelfish are under stress in an aquarium tank
The main reason behind the fading of the stripes of the beautiful looking Angelfish in your aquarium is that they are under stress in the tank.
Angelfish are very sensitive to changes in their environment. So, any small change in the water parameters or in the tank mates can lead to stress in these fish.
As a result, their stripes will start fading away. You will see that the colours of the fish are not as bright as before and the stripes are getting fainter day by day.
If the white and black stripes on their body fade due to stress, their durability is very short.
The fading process is supposed to happen in less than 2 minutes, but sometimes it happens in a second or two.
2 physicochemical factors have been shown to be most responsible for the fading of Angelfish stripes.
Dermis (pigmented angelfish skin cells)
This bright-looking fish has two layers of skin: the deeper layer of the skin is called the dermis, and the fibrous surface is called the epidermis.
The dermis produces enzymes called chromatophores in the deep cells of this fish skin.
Which then helps in the formation of purine-containing pigmented skin cells in the epidermis or fibrous surface.
When stressed, the purine-containing (chromatophores) skin cells of these fish help the stripes fade within seconds or minutes.
Melanosomes (chemical compounds that control skin colour)
On the other hand, the black/brown pigment called melanosomes helps to control the skin colour of this fish.
Under stress, melanosomes rapidly deliver pigment to melanophores in angelfish cells.
This results in an increase in microtubule levels on the fibrous surface, thereby reducing the intensity of the stripes over time.
Now you understand why your angelfish lose their stripes when they are under stress.
Due to health problems in angelfish
In some cases, the stripes of Angelfish in your aquarium will start to fade away due to certain health problems.
The most common health problem that causes fading of the stripes is a fungal infection.
If you notice that the white and black stripes of your angelfish are slowly disappearing and the fish looks sick, then most likely the fish is suffering from a fungal infection.
Fungal infections are usually caused by poor water quality or a dirty aquarium. So, make sure you keep your tank clean and the water quality is good.
Another health problem that can cause Angelfish stripes to fade is Velvet disease.
This disease is caused by a single-celled parasitic creature called Velvet.
This disease can cause the fish to lose its stripes and colour over time. So, if you notice that your angelfish is losing its stripes, then it might be suffering from this disease.
To treat this disease, you need to take the affected fish out of the tank and treat it with a good quality anti-parasitic medication.
If the stripes of your angelfish are fading away and you can’t figure out why then it might be due to one of these health problems. So, make sure you take good care of your fish and keep an eye on their health.
Due to a change in the ideal condition of water in the tank
Another major reason for the fading of stripes on Angelfish is a change in the ideal condition of the water in the aquarium tank.
Angelfish are very sensitive to changes in their environment. So, any small change in the water parameters like pH, hardness, or temperature can lead to stress in these fish.
| Water Type: | Freshwater |
| Tank Size: | 30 gallons |
| Water Temperature: | 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Substrate: | Gravel |
| Tank Setup: | Semi-aquatic |
| pH: | 6.8-7.2 |
| Water Hardness: | 5-20 dGH |
| Salinity: | 0ppt |
| Filter: | Canister filter |
The water in the tank must be monitored and 10-25% of the water changed every 2 weeks. Observe your angelfish and test the water regularly after adding it to the aquarium tank.
If you see that the stripes of your angelfish are fading, it means that there is a change in the water parameters. Try to find out what is causing the change and take immediate action to correct it.
Stripes can fade to irregular sleep
Angelfish need a regular sleep schedule just like humans. If these fish don’t get enough sleep, their stripes will start to fade away.
So, if you notice that the stripes of your angelfish are slowly disappearing, make sure they are getting enough sleep.
To do this, you need to turn off the lights in the tank for 12 hours every day. This will help the fish to get a good night’s sleep and their stripes will slowly come back.
Lack of appetite or nutritious food
Just like humans, fish need to eat nutritious food to stay healthy. If the diet of your angelfish is not nutritious enough, it can lead to fading of the stripes.
To make sure your fish are getting enough nutrients, you need to feed them a good quality diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
You can also give them live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. These live foods are very nutritious and will help to keep your fish healthy.
Below is the nutrition information for Angelfish food:
- Calories: 41
- Water: 88%
- Protein: 0.9 grams
- Carbs: 9.6 grams
- Sugar: 4.7 grams
- Fibre: 2.8 grams
- Fat: 0.2 grams
Vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin C: 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 1.1 mg
- Vitamin B12: 0.003 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid: 0.3 mg
- Selenium: 1.5 mcg
- Manganese: 0.002 mg
- Zinc: 0.004 mg
- Copper: 0.002 mg
As you can see, the diet of your fish needs to be rich in vitamins and minerals in order for them to stay healthy and their stripes to remain vibrant.
Mating and breeding time
Mating and breeding time is another reason why your angelfish stripes might fade.
During mating season, the male fish will often chase the female fish around and this can lead to stress. Stress can cause the stripes on your fish to fade.
In addition, when the female fish are ready to lay their eggs, they will often stop eating and this can also lead to a lack of nutrients and fading stripes.
To avoid this, you should provide your fish with plenty of hiding places so they can escape the stress of being chased around.
You should also make sure they have access to a good quality diet so they can get the nutrients they need during this time.
For the aquarium tank environment
The environment of your aquarium tank can also affect the stripes on your fish.
If the water in your tank is not clean, it can lead to stress and disease in your fish. This can cause their stripes to fade.
There are several steps you can take to keep your aquarium tank environment conducive to angelfish.
- Add live plants to the tank
- Do not overcrowd the tank
- Provide hiding places for your fish
By following these steps, you can create a healthy environment for your fish and help to prevent their stripes from fading.
Some other reasons behind faded stripes or injured. If your fish has faded stripes and is also acting lethargic or not eating, it is important to take it to the vet for a check-up.
A change in lighting can also cause Angelfish’s stripes to fade. If you recently changed the bulbs in your aquarium or moved the tank to a new location, this could be the cause.
Angelfish are also susceptible to a condition called “cloudy eye.” This is when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and can cause blindness. If your fish has cloudy eyes, it is important to take it to the vet for treatment.
For Cichlids Species Characteristics
Cichlids are a family of fish that includes Angelfish. There are many different species of cichlids, and each has its own unique set of stripes.
Angelfish are one of the most popular types of cichlids because of their beautiful striped patterns. However, these stripes can sometimes fade due to stress or a lack of nutrients.
If you are concerned about the stripes on your fish, you should consult with a vet or an aquarium specialist.
They will be able to help you determine the cause of the fading and recommend a course of treatment.
Proven Steps to Bring Back Your Angelfish Stripes
Do you have an angelfish that has lost its stripes?
Maybe your fish was once a beautiful orange and white, but now it’s a dull brown. Or maybe your angelfish had stunning blue stripes, but they’ve since faded to a light grey.
If this sounds like your fish, don’t worry. It’s actually quite common for angelfish to lose their stripes. In fact, it happens to almost all angelfish at some point in their lives.
There are a few different reasons why this might happen. But in this part, I will discuss how to bring back your angelfish stripes.
Whether your fish has lost its stripes due to stress, poor water quality, or something else, these steps will help bring them back.
Make sure the water quality is good
This is number one for a reason. If the water quality in your tank is not good, it can cause all sorts of problems for your fish, including stripes that fade or disappear.
Make sure you are doing regular water changes and testing the water to ensure the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are all within the safe range.
If the water quality is not good, it will be very difficult to bring back your angelfish stripes, no matter what else you do.
Reduce stress
Stress is one of the most common reasons why fish lose their stripes.
There are a lot of things that can cause stress in fish, including poor water quality, aggression from other fish, and even changes in the tank décor.
To help reduce stress in your fish, make sure you are providing them with good water quality and a peaceful environment.
You might also want to consider adding some hiding places to your tank so your fish can escape if they feel threatened.
Adding live plants can also help reduce stress, as they provide a place for fish to hide and feel safe.
Use a vitamin supplement
Adding a vitamin supplement to your fish’s diet can also help bring back their stripes.
There are a lot of different products on the market, but I recommend using one that contains vitamins C and E.
These vitamins are known to help reduce stress and promote good health in fish.
You can find vitamin supplements at most pet stores or online.
Try a commercial diet
If you are not already feeding your fish a commercial diet, now might be a good time to start.
A lot of commercial diets are fortified with vitamins and minerals that can help promote healthy growth and reduce stress.
Feeding your fish a healthy diet is one of the best things you can do to help them stay healthy and bring back their stripes.
These are just a few things you can do to help bring back your angelfish stripes. If you follow these steps, you should see a difference in your fish in no time.
Problems and solutions are my personal opinion
If your angelfish are still losing their stripes, it might be due to a more serious problem. In this case, you should consult with a vet or an aquarium specialist.
They will be able to help you determine the cause of the fading and recommend a course of treatment.
With the right care, you can help your angelfish regain their beautiful stripes in no time.