My Clarkii changed colors!

April C. · 09/29/2007, 04:11 PM

When we bought our Clarkii he was, probably obviously, Yellow. He has changed to being almost black with yellow fins still, and yellow on his belly. Do I have something out of whack, or does anyone know why he changed? Thank you!

wintercool97 · 09/29/2007, 07:11 PM

Strange I don't know anything about Clarkiis any one els out there do?

bump!

gummyworms · 09/29/2007, 07:15 PM

I think most Clarkiis are supposed to have that black with yellow coloration you desrcibed. Maybe he was stressed out so he turned all yellow and now he's back to a healthy black+yellow?

rlee81indy · 09/29/2007, 07:15 PM

from what Ive heard its because of a wild caught/ tank bred thing. Im no expert but Ive heard that is they are wild caught, that they can change over time, Ive also heard that they change colors as they move from the juvenile stage to maturity. I am not positive, so please dont quote me, Im just giving you a foundation for more research. btw, I have seen clarkiis in both color patterns

rlee81indy · 09/29/2007, 07:21 PM

sorry about the broken sentences, im drinking

ipiniowa · 09/29/2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rlee81indy
sorry about the broken sentences, im drinking

I thought we all were. You have to, so that you may rationalize the money this hobby makes you spend.

IslandCrow · 09/29/2007, 09:26 PM

That's very normal for Clarkiis to darken like that. Most of the full grown ones you see are mostly or completely black. I don't believe it has anything to do with being wild caught or tank bred, except an aquaculturist may have more control over the color morphs they breed. . .kind of like ORA and their black oscellaris or snowflake clowns.

Percula9 · 09/30/2007, 11:20 AM

As stated, completely normal. Tomato clowns start off completely orange to red and turn almost completely black as they mature.

April C. · 09/30/2007, 11:36 AM

Thanks for all the info!
Is it normal, too, for them to change so swiftly? It really took place in the course of a week or 10 days.
btw, I saw a really large one at a shop the other day that was only yellow still--and he was Big. Do they all change eventually, something like hitting puberty/maturing at different times?

09/29/2007, 04:11 PM	#1
April C. Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Guthrie Posts: 2	My Clarkii changed colors! When we bought our Clarkii he was, probably obviously, Yellow. He has changed to being almost black with yellow fins still, and yellow on his belly. Do I have something out of whack, or does anyone know why he changed? Thank you!

09/29/2007, 09:26 PM	#7
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	That's very normal for Clarkiis to darken like that. Most of the full grown ones you see are mostly or completely black. I don't believe it has anything to do with being wild caught or tank bred, except an aquaculturist may have more control over the color morphs they breed. . .kind of like ORA and their black oscellaris or snowflake clowns. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

09/29/2007, 07:11 PM	#2
wintercool97 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 166	Strange I don't know anything about Clarkiis any one els out there do? bump!

09/29/2007, 07:15 PM	#3
gummyworms Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 205	I think most Clarkiis are supposed to have that black with yellow coloration you desrcibed. Maybe he was stressed out so he turned all yellow and now he's back to a healthy black+yellow?

09/29/2007, 07:15 PM	#4
rlee81indy Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fort Carson, Co. Posts: 305	from what Ive heard its because of a wild caught/ tank bred thing. Im no expert but Ive heard that is they are wild caught, that they can change over time, Ive also heard that they change colors as they move from the juvenile stage to maturity. I am not positive, so please dont quote me, Im just giving you a foundation for more research. btw, I have seen clarkiis in both color patterns

09/29/2007, 07:21 PM	#5
rlee81indy Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fort Carson, Co. Posts: 305	sorry about the broken sentences, im drinking

09/30/2007, 11:20 AM	#8
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	As stated, completely normal. Tomato clowns start off completely orange to red and turn almost completely black as they mature.

09/30/2007, 11:36 AM	#9
April C. Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Guthrie Posts: 2	Thanks for all the info! Is it normal, too, for them to change so swiftly? It really took place in the course of a week or 10 days. btw, I saw a really large one at a shop the other day that was only yellow still--and he was Big. Do they all change eventually, something like hitting puberty/maturing at different times?