Midas Blenny- Wont turn back Yellow

[RDK63]

Hello, I have a Midas Blenny that was beautiful yellow. It is in a Fowler tank . I have non aggressive fish, he eats fine and swims all over the tank. Plenty of hiding places in the rock and is actually the largest fish in my tank. My ph, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are all normal. I feed frozen Rods food, frozen mysis and also pellets which he eats it all. Is it possible that because there is no bright colors in the tank that he is in a camo mode adapting to hide better when in the rock. All my fish are happy , swimming , eating , no aggression and in normal water parameters. Its healthy and seems happy so i'm very happy with all my fish. Just wish i could do something to have him turn back that beautiful yellow color. Any positive thoughts without telling me all the things that you believe i am doing wrong. Thanks

 

[Beau_B]

What color fish is it with? I had mine with a bunch of wrasse that were red/purple and the blenny seemed to want to fit in. Distinctly different than the stress coloring that is somewhat blotchy.

I have since added him with some other yellow fish and his coloring has shifted back more to yellow. I think I’ve read they do this.

Could be complete nonsense.

 

[Sharkbait19]

What color is it? Most fish do change color to better camouflage, especially when stressed.

 

[Goaway]

Any positive thoughts without telling me all the things that you believe i am doing wrong. Thanks

How long have you had him? Blennies are easy color shifters.
Same exact fish.

 

[RDK63]

What color fish is it with? I had mine with a bunch of wrasse that were red/purple and the blenny seemed to want to fit in. Distinctly different than the stress coloring that is somewhat blotchy.

I have since added him with some other yellow fish and his coloring has shifted back more to yellow. I think I’ve read they do this.

Could be complete nonsense.

I have one orange clown, one black striped clown, two fire fish, PJ cardinal , Bangahi cardinal and a coral beauty Angel. Actually none other than the one clown and the two small fire fish have much color. My rock is purple. So the Midas still keeps his blue eyes and the small yellow stripe next to his eyes. Its mostly a purple/brown color. at certain times when the light hits just right, you can see yellow on its lower rear part of his body. I really dont think he is stressed. Hes all over the tank and swims with the other fish. He eats well, has found numerous places in and on the rock that it will rest. Whenever i walk up to the tank it is not startled and comes up , like it wants food. I feed them all twice a day and they all come up and eat together. i am considering adding some hardy ,easy corals. They are in a Waterbox X60.2 tank which really is basically a nano tank, so i want to limit my total bio load to what i have. Just would like some color and hopefully the color might inspire the Midas to start going yellow again. If not it will be ok. Its an awesome , entertaining fish and well, fish will do what they do.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Definitely go for corals. They actually feed off of the nutrients found in fish waste, so they are good for the overall bioload.
If it’s turning purple on purple rock, then it’s likely camouflage. Note that the presence corals may not wind up changing its color, though it’s certainly possible.

 

[RDK63]

How long have you had him? Blennies are easy color shifters.
Same exact fish.

 

[RDK63]

I have him now 5 weeks. Yes, he was the yellow color when i got him like your first picture. He is very similar to your second picture although his tail is not yellow like yours. At times when the light hits him a certain way, about half his back side of his body will have a glimmer of yellow in it thats noticeable . He was originally like a yellow banana when i first got him. He is entertaining and so glad to have him. He's not sick or anything, very active and seems very social. Its just good to get other thoughts and experiences . I am considering getting some hardy ,easy corals to put some color in my tank without creating a nightmare to maintain my tank. If yours changes colors from the yellow to the purple and ultimately back to yellow again ,then i can just hope over time that he will do the same. If not, hes awemsome the way he is.

 

[RDK63]

Definitely go for corals. They actually feed off of the nutrients found in fish waste, so they are good for the overall bioload.
If it’s turning purple on purple rock, then it’s likely camouflage. Note that the presence corals may not wind up changing its color, though it’s certainly possible.

Thank you for your thoughts. yes my LFS mentioned that some corals would assist with fish waste in addition to my protein skimmer. We are currently discussing what would be best for my size tank and requirements. My tank is not very colorful , so i'm thinking it might be partially the reason. The fish i have are also not that colorful so between the two might be it. If it thought it was stress from water parameters, disease or something else , i would be all over that. Again , thanks for your thoughts , I appreciate them.

 

[RDK63]

What color fish is it with? I had mine with a bunch of wrasse that were red/purple and the blenny seemed to want to fit in. Distinctly different than the stress coloring that is somewhat blotchy.

I have since added him with some other yellow fish and his coloring has shifted back more to yellow. I think I’ve read they do this.

Could be complete nonsense.

I might consider getting another small yellow fish if it might help. good thought,Thanks

 

[Goaway]

Yes, he was the yellow color when i got him like your first picture.

I was using my fish as an example, I have no idea why they change color. But when mine feels safe, relaxed, worry free. She is a very gold color. If anything in the room changes, she turns gray and may keep that way for weeks.

You may also have a blue midas blenny.


gold midas