Clowns black color fading?

gowlover · 10/01/2007, 05:52 PM

I noticed my percula clown is losing some of his black on his sides near his top fin. It looks like it has been rubbed off or has faded. He likes to rub against my flower pot coral. Could that be it? Could the coral be damaging my clown? I hope not because he seems to love it.

JamesJR · 10/01/2007, 06:18 PM

On the contrary, your clown may be harming the flowerpot coral! you may consider moving them because many corals can be killed by having clowns host in them because they can't extend their polyps enough to feed.

gowlover · 10/01/2007, 07:18 PM

Well that sucks! I put a BTA in but he wont even go near it. So why would his black be fading around the top and sides of his body?

cutegecko3 · 10/01/2007, 07:42 PM

what are you feeding him and how long?

gowlover · 10/01/2007, 07:53 PM

I am feeding flakes and pellets once everyday. Ok sometimes twice because they all beg.

gowlover · 10/01/2007, 07:54 PM

Actually the pellet form is called ORA Glow and is suppose to inhance the colors!?

cutegecko3 · 10/01/2007, 08:09 PM

I would try varying the diet with some frozen meaty foods as well,like mysis and or brine shrimp.A lot of fish are known to have their colors fade without it.

JamesJR · 10/01/2007, 08:13 PM

It really depends. How long have you had this clown? is it wild caught? I have read in several sources that wild clowns from s. gigantea's can sometimes lose their dark coloring when they leave their anemones. I think this is a lot more common with Clarkii's but I am not sure. As far as foods go, cyclopeaze is a great food for clownfish. There may not be much you can do to stop the color form changing.

gowlover · 10/02/2007, 07:20 AM

I am not sure. I bought it from my LFS. I will try to find out though.

10/01/2007, 05:52 PM	#1
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	Clowns black color fading? I noticed my percula clown is losing some of his black on his sides near his top fin. It looks like it has been rubbed off or has faded. He likes to rub against my flower pot coral. Could that be it? Could the coral be damaging my clown? I hope not because he seems to love it. __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g

10/01/2007, 06:18 PM	#2
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	On the contrary, your clown may be harming the flowerpot coral! you may consider moving them because many corals can be killed by having clowns host in them because they can't extend their polyps enough to feed. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

10/01/2007, 07:18 PM	#3
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	Well that sucks! I put a BTA in but he wont even go near it. So why would his black be fading around the top and sides of his body? __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g

10/01/2007, 07:53 PM	#5
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	I am feeding flakes and pellets once everyday. Ok sometimes twice because they all beg. __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g

10/01/2007, 07:54 PM	#6
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	Actually the pellet form is called ORA Glow and is suppose to inhance the colors!? __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g

10/01/2007, 07:42 PM	#4
cutegecko3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springdale, AR Posts: 974	what are you feeding him and how long?

10/01/2007, 08:09 PM	#7
cutegecko3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springdale, AR Posts: 974	I would try varying the diet with some frozen meaty foods as well,like mysis and or brine shrimp.A lot of fish are known to have their colors fade without it.

10/01/2007, 08:13 PM	#8
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	It really depends. How long have you had this clown? is it wild caught? I have read in several sources that wild clowns from s. gigantea's can sometimes lose their dark coloring when they leave their anemones. I think this is a lot more common with Clarkii's but I am not sure. As far as foods go, cyclopeaze is a great food for clownfish. There may not be much you can do to stop the color form changing. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

10/02/2007, 07:20 AM	#9
gowlover Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 121	I am not sure. I bought it from my LFS. I will try to find out though. __________________ 70gl, 60lb of live rock, 36" CF 2x96watt actinic and daylight, 400watt 15K MH, Yellow Tang, Wrasse, Foxface, purple anemone, green Goniopora, Mushrooms, Emerald crab, 5 lg turbos Current Tank Info: 70g & 10g