PlanetCatfish.com

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?

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.

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

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