Domino Damsel Question

jeffmdavis · 01/30/2006, 09:39 PM

Hi All,
I have a Domino Damsel that I have had for a few months. He is growing and eating well. I have started to notice that the black over the spot on his head is not black any more but he has a grayish patch. there. Is it normal for Damsels as they get older to loose the real dark black look and "Fade" to more of Gray?

thanks

LisaD · 01/30/2006, 10:44 PM

I'm not positive about the domino specifically, but it is very common for juvenile damsels to be colorful and for adults to be much more drab.

Chaotic Reefer4u · 01/31/2006, 01:10 AM

so true...

Ironsheikh · 01/31/2006, 08:50 AM

yeah, they change color as adults -- either all black or blue grey. I like the look of dominos --i picked up a nice snowflake domino which are the ones from hawaii w/ a huge white streak on thier sides rather than a small patch. They also have gold belly dominos --but they all fade when they get older. But, maybe it's diet too because your domino is still young I'm guessing

jeffmdavis · 01/31/2006, 08:56 AM

He is young. I feed them frozen Brine and Mysis Shrimp, frozen Butterfly& Angel food as well as flakes. I feel like the diet is well rounded. I guess he is just turning a little early. He acts and looks very healthy.

stevebydac · 01/31/2006, 10:31 AM

The color change is very normal. If he is eating and acting well, I wouldn't worry, as long as your tank parameters are ok.

jeffmdavis · 01/31/2006, 10:34 AM

Does anyone know how fast these things grow?

jcopp24 · 01/31/2006, 02:36 PM

I believe the size or rate of growth is set upon the parameters on your tank. My Domino ( pictured below ) at two years old, was the size of my thumb nail when I purchased it. His name is Mike Vick cause he is a fast mo fo... mine however has not faded in color at all...

You can see in the next pic how big he is in comparison to the Tomatoe Clown

These fish eat Marine Cuisine and Emerald Entree, I also add in Kent Marine Garlic Xtreme which I let the food marinade in

RGBMatt · 02/01/2006, 01:06 PM

The fish in that photo is a 3-spot damsel, which has more stable colouration than the Hawaiian Domino damsels.

Dominos start out small and cute, but quickly become big, ugly, and gray. However, at night they regain their juvenile black-with-white-spot pattern.

01/30/2006, 09:39 PM	#1
jeffmdavis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Macon Georgia Posts: 31	Domino Damsel Question Hi All, I have a Domino Damsel that I have had for a few months. He is growing and eating well. I have started to notice that the black over the spot on his head is not black any more but he has a grayish patch. there. Is it normal for Damsels as they get older to loose the real dark black look and "Fade" to more of Gray? thanks __________________ Jeffery Davis 46 Gallon Corner Bow Scopas Tang Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish Royal Gramma Cleaner Skunk Shrimp Lemon Peel Angel Current Tank Info: 46 Gallon Corner Bow

01/30/2006, 10:44 PM	#2
LisaD That's not a salmon Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: central North Carolina Posts: 6,986	I'm not positive about the domino specifically, but it is very common for juvenile damsels to be colorful and for adults to be much more drab. __________________ Keeping saltwater tanks since the late '70s Current Tank Info: tankless at the moment

01/31/2006, 01:10 AM	#3
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	so true... __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

01/31/2006, 08:50 AM	#4
Ironsheikh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SYRACUSE NY Posts: 1,124	yeah, they change color as adults -- either all black or blue grey. I like the look of dominos --i picked up a nice snowflake domino which are the ones from hawaii w/ a huge white streak on thier sides rather than a small patch. They also have gold belly dominos --but they all fade when they get older. But, maybe it's diet too because your domino is still young I'm guessing __________________ You have been weighed... You have been measured... YOU have been found wanting! Current Tank Info: 20G fowlr some zoas

01/31/2006, 08:56 AM	#5
jeffmdavis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Macon Georgia Posts: 31	He is young. I feed them frozen Brine and Mysis Shrimp, frozen Butterfly& Angel food as well as flakes. I feel like the diet is well rounded. I guess he is just turning a little early. He acts and looks very healthy. __________________ Jeffery Davis 46 Gallon Corner Bow Scopas Tang Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish Royal Gramma Cleaner Skunk Shrimp Lemon Peel Angel Current Tank Info: 46 Gallon Corner Bow

01/31/2006, 10:31 AM	#6
stevebydac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rhode Island, USA Posts: 410	The color change is very normal. If he is eating and acting well, I wouldn't worry, as long as your tank parameters are ok.

01/31/2006, 10:34 AM	#7
jeffmdavis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Macon Georgia Posts: 31	Does anyone know how fast these things grow? __________________ Jeffery Davis 46 Gallon Corner Bow Scopas Tang Gold Stripe Maroon Clownfish Royal Gramma Cleaner Skunk Shrimp Lemon Peel Angel Current Tank Info: 46 Gallon Corner Bow

01/31/2006, 02:36 PM	#8
jcopp24 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 341	I believe the size or rate of growth is set upon the parameters on your tank. My Domino ( pictured below ) at two years old, was the size of my thumb nail when I purchased it. His name is Mike Vick cause he is a fast mo fo... mine however has not faded in color at all... You can see in the next pic how big he is in comparison to the Tomatoe Clown These fish eat Marine Cuisine and Emerald Entree, I also add in Kent Marine Garlic Xtreme which I let the food marinade in

02/01/2006, 01:06 PM	#9
RGBMatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Posts: 310	The fish in that photo is a 3-spot damsel, which has more stable colouration than the Hawaiian Domino damsels. Dominos start out small and cute, but quickly become big, ugly, and gray. However, at night they regain their juvenile black-with-white-spot pattern.