Foxface rabbitfish dull

[SAYD]

I have a foxface that has lost its yellow, dorsal coloration (it is now a black line). I have had this guy for about 3 months and when I bought him, he had that nice yellow coloration but ever since he has been in my tank, the dorsal region has been consistently black. In fact, I haven't even seen any of the yellow come back during the past month. I know it is not unusual for them to change colors intermitantly but how about maintaining this color consistently? Indicative of some sort of stressor?

Water params are fine and he eats gracilaria, nori, mysis, formula 1 and 2 there are no spots on him, the pics are not that great

 

[falconut]

A had one a while back that was brilliant yellow, but after a few days in my tank he turned a dull yellow. I think it was my Yellow Tang. He would chase him when he was bright yellow, but not when he was dull. So, I think he learned this. Is there any other fish harasing him?

 

[ssavader]

My Rabbitfish responds to stress by losing his color and turning a pale yellow-white. Stress gone, color returns within minutes. What is his stressor?

 

[SAYD]

he is always a pale dull yellow ever since I brouhgt him home about 6 months ago.

 

[ssavader]

Was his color different before he was purchased?

 

[freetareef]

mine did the same when stressed.

 

[LisaD]

He looks nice and fat. Possibly not stressed, just coloration to match the tank environment? IME stress coloration in rabbitfish and foxfaces is either paleness or a mottled pattern. This doesn't look like either to me.

I'm not sure, but I think they are more likely to have that bright yellow color in a sterile display tank.

Seahorses are like that. Some can be very colorful in a pretty much empty tank with the blue background, but when put into a more natural tank, they can get very dull. I don't know if that's what is going on, it's just a guess.

 

[effin]

How much light do you have over your tank? My foxface showed paler coloration for over a year in my 3'x2'x2' 90 gallon with 2 250w halides for lighting. It was distinctly different from his stress coloration which included more brown. He also chased his reflection a lot, which is what I thought was causing it. I would occasionally see the bright yellow, but I would say he was paler 90% of the time. About three months ago I switched to AI LEDs which don't appear as bright to the eye. Now my foxface is bright yellow the majority of the time.

 

[SAYD]

I think it may have been diet. I started adding some ogo to his diet and his coloration is very quickly improving I'll post some pics in like a week and you guys can judge

 

[SAYD]

Do you think his coloring is looking better??

 

[Sheol]

My One-spot does this, when he is feeling unsure or insecure. But full colors are on display for breakfast and dinner!
He was sort of dull when I bought him, I thought it might also be age related. Now I'm convinced it indicates mood (not too complex of course, its a fish!)changes.

Matthew

 

[LisaD]

Definitely seems to have brighter colors now. I forgot to ask you about diet. It makes a huge difference with my fish.

 

[SAYD]

He is eating nori and gracilaria mainly anything you suggest adding to the diet?

Here is a cool night shot of him

 

[blue sea star]

All of the rabbitfishes change to a mottled (camouflage) color when stressed. Makes total sense for survival. They do the same thing at night. Check it out with a flashlight after they've been asleep for a few hours.