Blizzard Clownfish backside is turning black! Help!

[Kirsten Adams]

I bought an adult mated Blizzard Clownfish pair and I noticed that one of them had a slightly darker backside but it has, over the course of two weeks, gotten darker. It is in the tank with another Blizzard Clownfish, two Figi Damsels, and one Yellow-tail Damsel. I am worried because only half of it is changing color. Do you know what is happening? What’s wrong with it?

 

[NY_Caveman]

Is it the bigger of the pair, the female? They tend to darken with age in general, but I have not owned this specific type.

 

[NY_Caveman]

And welcome to R2R!

 

[Kirsten Adams]

Is it the bigger of the pair, the female? They tend to darken with age in general, but I have not owned this specific type.

Yes, but I thought it was very strange because only half of her is changing colors. Idk if it has to do with mating or what, they have been exhibiting mating behavior.

 

[MTBake]

Welcome to R2R

Do you have a pic of the clown in question?

 

[Kirsten Adams]

Welcome to R2R

Do you have a pic of the clown in question?

 

[Kirsten Adams]

Sorry they aren’t great pictures, she moves around a lot

 

[MTBake]

Sorry they aren’t great pictures, she moves around a lot

They sure do move a lot. Especially when trying to get their pic

That's kinda odd coloring, IMO. I've never seen that in a white clown before.

Curious to see what others have to say about this.

 

[MTBake]

Does it swim and eat ok? Anything picking on it?

 

[davocean]

I have seen maybe twice over the years that happening, and more like losing pigment than getting darker if it's the same thing, but for the life of me I don't recall anyone saying or knowing why, or the outcome.

It is common for many to have darker color coming in, but I'm pretty sure this is something different.

Keep posting pics as it goes, maybe even double check in disease forum, or maybe someone like humblefish may know.

 

[Kirsten Adams]

Does it swim and eat ok? Anything picking on it?

Yeah it eats and swims great, it especially loves brine cubes, but I feed it pellets too, I alternate their food. It gets along well with its tank mates too.

 

[Kirsten Adams]

I have seen maybe twice over the years that happening, and more like losing pigment than getting darker if it's the same thing, but for the life of me I don't recall anyone saying or knowing why, or the outcome.

It is common for many to have darker color coming in, but I'm pretty sure this is something different.

Keep posting pics as it goes, maybe even double check in disease forum, or maybe someone like humblefish may know.

Ok thank you.

 

[MTBake]

I have seen maybe twice over the years that happening, and more like losing pigment than getting darker if it's the same thing, but for the life of me I don't recall anyone saying or knowing why, or the outcome.

It is common for many to have darker color coming in, but I'm pretty sure this is something different.

Keep posting pics as it goes, maybe even double check in disease forum, or maybe someone like humblefish may know.

It really does look like a pigment shift in the fish. But why only half of the fish? I've seen clowns change color as the age, but like you said, this appears different.

 

[davocean]

It really does look like a pigment shift in the fish. But why only half of the fish? I've seen clowns change color as the age, but like you said, this appears different.

I remember a post long ago that they said was losing color, and kinda turning clear, and it was the back half of the fish like that, can't recall for sure but I think both sides on that one.

This is the 3rd time I've seen this in about 13 years of paying attention mainly in clown forum, so it's not a common thing.

 

[NY_Caveman]

It is very strange. How long have you had them? Have they ever mated? Be interesting to see if she lays eggs if the coloring changes in any way.

 

[MTBake]

Yeah it eats and swims great, it especially loves brine cubes, but I feed it pellets too, I alternate their food. It gets along well with its tank mates too.

That's good. Doesn't look like an unhealthy fish at all. Just seems to be shifting color for some reason.

 

[Kirsten Adams]

It is very strange. How long have you had them? Have they ever mated? Be interesting to see if she lays eggs if the coloring changes in any way.

We were told that they were already a mated pair, I’ve had them for about two weeks now and they are showing some mating behavior but have not yet layed eggs in my tank.

 

[Kirsten Adams]

That's good. Doesn't look like an unhealthy fish at all. Just seems to be shifting color for some reason.

Thank what I was thinking