Tiger barbs going dark?

Hey all

So this one has been playing on my mind for a little while - I kept them a few years back but never encountered this.

So a friend of mine in the UK keeps tiger barbs in his community planted tank, got a batch all in one go a few months back, and about a week or two back they started going dark - very suddenly. Not sure if it is a disease, or maybe just a strain of the barbs themselves? Never heard of it myself so I couldn't help him. He said all of them started out looking the same - but here are the affected three now...

What are your thoughts? None of the other fish in the tank have been affected in any way, and all seem to be eating and swimming as per normal.

 

Not a disease, its a green tiger barb.
https://www.tropicalfishsite.com/green-tiger-barb-puntius-tetrazona/

 

I thought as much, but it was throwing me off that they started standard colour and went darker and darker - I thought green tigers are just green from the get go?

Also never seen a green as dark as the two black ones?

 

I love Tiger Barb's. As the guys said this a strain. Even normal ones become darker and lighter as you observe them, you can see al green in them

 

What happened to his tail

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I've never seen juvenile green tiger barbs but also thought they start out green. I have juvenile tiger barbs, let's hope they don't turn out green in a few months

The darker ones are male and lighter are female. Correct me if I'm wrong please. Don't want to give incorrect information

 

There was a bit of fighting just after the color change. Apparently he is healing up nicely now.


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Thanks everyone - this all makes a lot more sense now.

Think he was panicked and that’s what got me thinking, and without having ever had them/this happen to me I missed what was what


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Tiger Barbs are one of my favourite species but don't keep them due to their nature. Would love a species only tank one day

 

I had a few a couple of years back, but the archers they were with enjoyed them a little too much one night....


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I think they look more dark green/black is because they are female barbs, the males have a more shinier green tint. I have had both, currently got 3 females from the same batch.... All 3 have a beautiful dark suede green, appearing black at times