We are huge fans of the red tail shark due to its unique look and great colors and with the species seeing some strong growth in its popularity recently, it would appear that a number of people within the fish keeping hobby would agree with us too.
Although the popularity of keeping the red tail shark in aquariums is steadily increasing, we have also noticed a number of people reaching out and asking questions about keeping the fish due to it still being pretty niche and there being a lack of information out there about them.
We have already published our article going over keeping a red tail shark with cichlids but more recently, we have noticed people reaching out to ask about a red tail shark losing its color.
Due to there being a number of reasons that may cause a red tail shark to lose its color, we wanted to publish our own article going over the various potential problems to try and help as many of our readers as possible.
Our hope is that we will be able to help our readers better understand the potential causes of their red tail shark having issues with maintaining its normal color as a loss of color is usually an indication of a potentially serious problem.
Is It Normal For A Red Tail Shake To Be Losing Color?
Although a loss of coloration can sometimes occur in red tail sharks, it is usually an indication of a problem and not something that should be happening on a regular basis.
There are a number of potential issues that could cause your red tail shark to lose its coloration but the most common reason is due to stress or nutrition.
Other potential causes of your red tail shark losing coloration could be down to water quality issues, parasites or even aggression from other fish in the aquarium but these are much less common than stress or nutrition related problems.
Why Is My Red Tail Shark Losing Color?
The majority of people who notice their red tail shark is losing color will discover the problem is usually due to the fish being stressed or due to problems with the nutritional levels in the fish.
In less common situations, your red tail shark can also lost its color due to issues with water parameters, parasites, and aggression from its tank mates so we will have a quick look at each of these now.
The Fish Is Stressed
One of the most common reasons why your red tail shark will lose its coloration is due to stress and as you can imagine, there are a number of different things that could potentially stress out your fish.
The biggest cause of stress in aquarium fish is usually down to poor water conditions so if you have noticed that your red tail shark is losing color and you have not tested the water recently, this should be your first port of call.
If water conditions are the cause of stress in your red tail shark, you should see an improvement in coloration once the water quality has been improved and the fish has had a chance to settle into its new environment.
It is also worth mentioning that a sudden change in water conditions can also cause stress in fish so if you have recently made a change to the water in your aquarium, this could be the reason why your red tail shark is losing color.
Other potential causes of stress in your red tail shark could be down to aggression from tank mates, not having enough hiding places or even a lack of oxygen in the water so it is important to rule out each of these potential problems if you notice your red tail shark is losing color.
Loud music and sounds can also stress fish out so if you have noticed your red tail shark is losing color and there have been any changes to the environment around the aquarium, this could be the reason why.
Problems With Nutrition
As we mentioned earlier, one of the most common reasons for a red tail shark losing color is due to problems with nutrition and this is usually down to a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet.
A good quality flake food or pellet food that has been designed specifically for aquarium fish should contain all of the nutrients your red tail shark needs to stay healthy but if you are feeding your fish live food or frozen food, it is important to supplement the diet with vitamins and minerals.
You can usually find these supplements in your local pet store or online and they will help to ensure your red tail shark is getting all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and maintain its coloration.
If you are unsure what vitamins and minerals your red tail shark needs, it is always best to speak to a qualified aquarium technician who will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Infected With Parasites
In some rare cases, your red tail shark can lose its coloration due to being infected with parasites and these are usually easy to spot if you know what you are looking for.
The most common symptom of a parasite infection is white spots on the body or fins of the fish but other signs can include a loss of appetite, lethargy, and weight loss.
If you suspect your red tail shark has a parasite infection, it is important to speak to your local vet or aquarium technician in your local fish store as soon as possible as these infections can quickly spread to other fish in the tank.
Your red tail shark will usually need to be treated with a course of medication which can be administered through the water or, in some cases, the fish will need to be removed from the tank and treated in a separate hospital tank.
Why Is My Red Tailed Shark Turning Grey?
One of the most common reasons why your red tailed shark is turning grey is due to a lack of vitamins and minerals in its diet.
A good quality flake food or pellet food that has been designed specifically for aquarium fish should contain all of the nutrients your red tailed shark needs but if you are feeding your fish live food or frozen food, it is important to supplement the diet with vitamins and minerals.
You can usually find these supplements in your local pet store or online and they will help to ensure your red tailed shark is getting all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and maintain its coloration.
