Question about GBRs

**dragoonwoman** · 03-09-2011, 06:25 PM

I have a lone female GBR in my 46g, and I noticed last night that her belly is very round, like she's loaded with eggs, but her belly is white, not the normal pink color.

Does the pink color only develop in the presence of a male? I've had very little luck with keeping GBRs over the last 2 years, so I'm disinclined to get any more. The one I have is the sole survivor of 6. The tank she's in is over a year old, so it's mature and stable.

Is this something I should worry about? Suggestions?

**dragoonwoman** · 03-10-2011, 04:45 PM

Anybody?

**toddnbecka** · 03-10-2011, 05:36 PM

She may simply be gravid, and if so will unload the eggs when she's ready. If she's bloated try feeding her shelled steamed peas.

**Sandz** · 03-11-2011, 07:21 PM

My GBRS have not changed color patterns when looking to breed v.s. being in normal state. Also my breeding gbr girls usually have the pink belly already, but some dont. With the ammount of fish that go out in stores today its quite common to have color malfunctions.

**Taurus** · 03-11-2011, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Sandz

With the ammount of fish that go out in stores today its quite common to have color malfunctions.

Color malfuntions?

**Strider199** · 03-11-2011, 09:34 PM

When my 29 gallon was finally ready for some stocking I added 1 GBR with the tetras I chose. After a few months it seemed she really didn't look as colourful as the ones I had seen at the lfs. I went and purchased a male slightly larger than she was and "presto" her colour exploded. The two of them have now been together for over a month and both display excellent colouration. Being your tank is over a year along, maybe it's time to pick her a companion? The pair I have spar with each other but leave the tetras alone. She usually holds her ground but lately she's making him back away.

**Sandz** · 03-11-2011, 09:58 PM

Meaning not the way we are used to them being. IE: Females have a bright pink belly and not males... well I have males that do and dont and same with females. Its a malfunction...

**dragoonwoman** · 03-12-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Strider199

Being your tank is over a year along, maybe it's time to pick her a companion?

I was thinking along those lines - that she's lonely and would like a mate. When the male was alive, her color was everything it should be, bright pink belly and all.

I'll start checking the local stores for GBRs. Some around here get the hormonally messed-with ones, which don't live very long.

Thanks for the input, folks.