hoplo color change?

[Taratron]

I have about six Hoplo litts, and last year several of them had the bright orange "spine" on their pec fins, indicating males. Over the winter those colors faded, and then I had my velvet outbreak among other things. Now the coloring is coming back! Is this an indication that the tank is a-okay now, or do hoplos usually gain and lose the color per season?

[Carp37]

I've not got H. littorale, but in both Megalechis thoracata and Callichthys callichthys the orange is pretty much permanent (at least in my males)- although sometimes the pectoral spine appears brighter than others, it's always orange.

[wrasse]

I'd say - yes. It does indicate your tank is okay now.

The more 'conditioned' the fish - the brighter the colours will be.