Opinions on this clown

[Salty_Box_Reef]

My lfs has a semi-Picasso that I have been eyeing for a couple weeks. He's the last of several that they had. He's happy, cute and a good price. I would also like to buy from this place as they have treated me real well while I have been getting my first tank up and running. However I'm not real keen on the lighter shade that he is.

So I'm wondering, will he get darker and more vibrant over time? Is the lighter color due to anything that could be a health concern later? He's been there about two weeks, has been playful the whole time and eats plenty.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Personally I think he's pretty cool. If you like him as he is, I'd get him.

I'm sure with better feeding and some age he'll "color up"

Thanks,
Kris

 

[GHill762]

I think he's pretty, looks like good thick shaded lines.. ime they don't change a whole lot, though it might darken up just a little..

 

[Eienna]

I'm just guessing here, but he may be a bit stress-faded, in which case he should color back up when he gets comfortable. Certain foods may enhance the orange, as well, though I'm not sure which ones. NLS tends to make reds come out, so it may help the orange. I want to say krill, astaxanthin and beta-carotene, but don't quote me on that.

 

[Salty_Box_Reef]

Thank you. What NLS would you recommend? My lfs stocks it and likes it as well but there's several choices.

 

[Eienna]

I feed mine the Small Fish formula, but they're small. If your clown is big enough to eat it, I'd recommend the Marine formula. Don't go for the thera-A because the levels of garlic may actually be detrimental to SW fish.

 

[Salty_Box_Reef]

Ok thanks. Do you think it's worth the $40 risk that it will color up? If it does I think it's a really good deal.

 

[Eienna]

If you don't like it, don't buy it. There will be others.

 

[StevenBell]

He looks quite healthy IMO.I do agree he could be stress faded which is common!Also there are so many strains of clowns that it could be genetic.Either way 40 for a slight Picasso is a debatable price(give or take honestly).

 

[Reeferella]

That's normal coloring for certain semi-picassos. When his black starts filling in, he'll be as striking as other similarly marked semi-picasso's. $40 seems like an incredibly reasonable price but semi's are becoming more common place and maybe the store got a good deal and they're passing it on to their customers. If you trust the store and you like the fish, get it. Especially considering you've had to benefit of keeping an eye on him for 2 weeks...what a plus. The fish looks healthy as of that picture IMO..

 

[Salty_Box_Reef]

Newb question, but just to confirm. This is a ocellaris correct? I just got a juvenile percula, and want to pair him with another clown, but I don't want to get another basic true perc, I would like the other clown to stand out a little more, but also not break the bank.

 

[Eienna]

No, picasso is an A. percula morph, not an A. ocellaris. Your juvy percula could pair with it, but that needs to happen while one or both is still male, which can be hard to hit when the specimens are of very different ages.

 

[Salty_Box_Reef]

That's good news. My clown that I have know is significantly smaller than the Picasso pictured, so I would assume they wouldn't have an issue sorting things out.

 

[Eienna]

That's good news. My clown that I have know is significantly smaller than the Picasso pictured, so I would assume they wouldn't have an issue sorting things out.

Assuming the larger one takes a dominant role, you'll be fine. If the smaller one wants to be dominant you could have issues, UNLESS the larger is still male from being subdominant to the others in its tank. Sorry if that's confusing XD