Clownfish not turning black

rockstarta78 · May 11, 2016

Hi - so I just setup my Reef tank. I wanted to get a regular ocellaris and a Darwin ocellaris. So the guy who sold me the Darwin over a month ago he showed me the patents' picture (purchased through my local forum) and they were black. But I've had mine since mid March. It's been 2 months. The fish itself is 3 months old. It shows no sign of turning black. Did I get a lemon? How long does it take for them to change color? Is it always going to be this brownish color? Or did I get something other than a black and white ocellaris?

Thank you so much for your help.

AlexStinson · May 11, 2016

It takes more than months. Im sure someone here knows more, but in my case (snowflakes) I've only seen noticeable change in the white area over the course of a year+.

KorL · May 11, 2016

maybe the mailman clownfish came by for a visit when daddy clown was away eating mysis

rockstarta78 · May 11, 2016

AlexStinson said:
It takes more than months. Im sure someone here knows more, but in my case (snowflakes) I've only seen noticeable change in the white area over the course of a year+.

He's 3 months old. Shouldn't he have shown some coloration?

rockstarta78 · May 12, 2016

Sorry 5+ months old.

AlexStinson · May 12, 2016

They are still small, I wouldn't sweat it. I did have a black clownfish that came with an orange nose, he took around 3 years before it turned black.

rockstarta78 · May 12, 2016

3 years? Holy smokes.

michellejy · May 12, 2016

AlexStinson said:
They are still small, I wouldn't sweat it. I did have a black clownfish that came with an orange nose, he took around 3 years before it turned black.

Mine turned all the way black and then went back to having orange faces when moved to a different tank. They always had black bodies though. If the OP hadn't said otherwise, I would have thought that was a mocha.

dwebb1031 · May 12, 2016

I've had my current pair going on 2-1/2 years female recently lost her last bit and the male still has an orange face. Now personally I like this cause his name is torch due to the orange so if and when it goes [emoji17]

ash9965 · May 12, 2016

mine turned fully black after a few months

rockstarta78 · May 12, 2016

michellejy said:
Mine turned all the way black and then went back to having orange faces when moved to a different tank. They always had black bodies though. If the OP hadn't said otherwise, I would have thought that was a mocha.

See I'm beginning to wonder if he actually sent me a mocha instead, but he doesn't breed those as far as I know. Regardless, I love the little guy. Just wish it would turn black.

rockstarta78 · May 12, 2016

ash9965 said:
mine turned fully black after a few months

Do you think it has anything to do with lighting?

tj w · May 12, 2016

I have a pair, and the smaller male still hasn't turned all the way black yet. From what I understand it can take a while. I wouldn't sweat it right now. If u keep him healthy he will change eventually.

rockstarta78 · May 12, 2016

tj w said:
I have a pair, and the smaller male still hasn't turned all the way black yet. From what I understand it can take a while. I wouldn't sweat it right now. If u keep him healthy he will change eventually.

I guess it's a waiting game at this point. At least your post gives me hope. [emoji4]

tj w · May 13, 2016

Stay positive, it will change in due time. The hardest part is the wait of course. Good luck and please keep us updated![emoji3]

ash9965 · May 13, 2016

I think quality food and health is more important than light for them

rockstarta78 · May 13, 2016

ash9965 said:
I think quality food and health is more important than light for them

I'm feeding NLS pallet. Thinking about introducing mysis shrimp. Since it's a QT didn't want to mess up the water quality.

michellejy · May 14, 2016

I hunted down photos of my clowns when I first bought them 7 1/2 years ago. You can see how tiny this one was, but it was black (aside from the face) from the start.

ash9965 · May 16, 2016

could it be that if its not the female maybe it will delay in the color change vs a female that would immediately get larger and possibly change color faster ?

rockstarta78 · May 16, 2016

ash9965 said:
could it be that if its not the female maybe it will delay in the color change vs a female that would immediately get larger and possibly change color faster ?

I'm pretty sure it is not a female. Seems pretty submissive around the larger one.