Blue Fin Chromis Turning Black! Why?

[NaH2Ofreak]

Ok. I bought 4 blue fin chromis for my reef. After about 2 weeks, one of them turned completly black. Now, two more are starting to turn black. Does anyone know why? They are very healthy and eating, swimming, etc.

Before:

After:

Thanks!
Dennis

 

[Laura D]

That's what they look like as adults. FWIW, I have never heard them called chromis, they are damsels. The Blue fin damsel is also known as the "black" damsel, because they turn black.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1844&articleid=2026

see also http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i5/Ugly_Swans/Ugly_Swans.htm

They start off mostly white with blue and yellow highlights, but turn to a drab black as they mature and approach their full adult size of seven inches

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

Ok...thanks Laura <gulp>. I guess I need to get to a fish trap. In 7 years of keeping a reef, I've only been spanked a handful of times for improper research. This is definitly one of those times.

Thanks again,
Dennis

 

[Amphiprion]

Actually, even the scientific name (Neoglyphidodon "melas") means black. Sometimes you can look at the meanings of names to find these things out.