False Percula back turning black. Why?

[chrisbenavides]

Both my False Percula are getting a little darker on the back right behind their face. It has been getting darker (black) for about 4 weeks now. I am assuming the fish are around 1 year old.

Any info?

THANKS!

- Chris

 

[Jovreefer]

Possible lighting, I dont think anyone knows for sure though.

Sometimes they can get dark splotches from hosting in Zoa's too, But your sound like its just the top half of them?

I've seen ones go completly black on the top and orange on the botton half in a fish only tank too...

 

[chrisbenavides]

I didn't know lighting affected fish that way. The fish usually like to host in my Xenias. they actually started with a new colony that I got about 4-6 weeks ago. Connection maybe?

I just want to rule out disease till I know. But I guess its more common for clowns to turn a little black.

 

[Ciarán]

Mine did that for a number of weeks, turning a fairly dark brownish black from the lateral line downward right to the caudal peduncle. The original bright orange came back in about 3/4 weeks. No environmental reason i could gather from my tests, i think it may have been a maturity /growth related change in pigmentation. No behavioral change by the fish, seems perfectly fine IMO. Just keep an eye for a while.

 

[Amphiprion]

Mine have always turned darker--and get even darker with age. I doubt lighting has much to do with it. Mine are darker under 440w vho (and others under 36w power compact) than under 250w halides. I am with Ciaran in the assumption that it is related to age/growth/genes than anything.

 

[chrisbenavides]

Yeah the behavior of the fish has not changed at all. So thats good.