Ive had my blonde naso for about 3 weeks now and she gets along with everyone and is eating well. I just noticed she is darker a lot more lately and was wondering why. All the info Ive found says they get dark when theyre stressed usually due to bullying or lack of food because something is wrong with them. however both of these are not the case with me. Ive noticed tonight though that when she swims lower in the tank near the sand she'll get light and as she swims upward she'll turn dark almost instantaneously. My rockwork right now is somewhat low and the black background stands out. Could this be a camouflage technique to blend into surroundings? Anybody else notice this? I guess the only way I could test this is to maybe cover my background with a sheet of white acrylic or something.
naso tang camo?
- Thread starter pipebash
- Start date
jjk_reef00
New member
How big is your tank, and how big is your Naso?
wetbehindears
New member
I have a naso, i think what ur seeing is the true color of the fish as its gets use to living in ur tank, i know my naso did the same thing the colors got mose "true". Unless ur tanks to small. But im sure that isnt the case. And correct me if im wrong but wouldnt the color of the fish get lighter when stressed.
Do u have a pic?
Do u have a pic?
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
No, the naso doesn't get lighter when stressed/po'd, it gets darker. MUCH darker.
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
Also, if this naso is in your 75, it could be why it's stressed out.
catman78
New member
They get darker when they are stressed/nervous.
If I'm working in the tank it gets a little stressed
It goes back to regular color within minutes.
I think a 75 does not have enough room when it gets to be around 6"
I have a 4ft 120 with a 6.5" Naso.
Soon, I will trade/give it away to somebody with @ least a 6 ft tank.
They're great fish. Mine eats Nori out of my hand.
If I'm working in the tank it gets a little stressed
It goes back to regular color within minutes.
I think a 75 does not have enough room when it gets to be around 6"
I have a 4ft 120 with a 6.5" Naso.
Soon, I will trade/give it away to somebody with @ least a 6 ft tank.
They're great fish. Mine eats Nori out of my hand.
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
Who says 6" is the magical mark? Personally, I think you're 6.5" naso outgrew your 120 loooooong ago. And a 6' tank isn't proper either.
wetbehindears
New member
Ah well ive never seen mine get darker.
wetbehindears
New member
What does a stressed naso look like? I only have mine to compare to and he (i think its a male i have looked up how to sex them yet) my naso is nice n fat super and he eats 24/7 good thing i have a retarded oversized skimmer to keep up w feedings.
Does any one have pics of a stressed naso?
Does any one have pics of a stressed naso?
sorry I forgot to update my info. I now have a 180 so thats where it is.
Tank Inhabitants
hippo tang
desjardini tang all 3 about 3.5-4 inches
naso tang
3x lyretail anthias approximately 2 inches
2x perculas approximately 2 inches
parameters
amm-0
rite-0
rate-.5
salinity-1.025
ph-7.95
temp ranges from 77-80
vortech mp40 set at about 80%
every once in a while the desjardini will display but other than that everyone is chill
Tank Inhabitants
hippo tang
desjardini tang all 3 about 3.5-4 inches
naso tang
3x lyretail anthias approximately 2 inches
2x perculas approximately 2 inches
parameters
amm-0
rite-0
rate-.5
salinity-1.025
ph-7.95
temp ranges from 77-80
vortech mp40 set at about 80%
every once in a while the desjardini will display but other than that everyone is chill
kaimarkhirst
New member
all fish get stressed under complete darkness in any sized tank as in the real world in the wild, the reefs are rarely in complete darkness so this is whats stressing your fish out...
TampaReefer79
Premium Member
At night, the Naso will actually get pale with white blotches...the darkness that runs through him is kind of like a warning I would guess. Something completely different than nighttime coloration - similar to if you've ever seen an Achilles Tang PO'd. Even the Achilles eye will change color. This is a CLEAR sign to get away. lol
ok, good stuff thanks for the info. she still is eating well and has begun tearing away at algae sheets so hopefully its just how she or he is. actually yesterday I took one of my nems to the lfs and replaced with a rock and she changed to light gray the rest of the day so who knows. It could be a male I guess. I have seen males stay darker in coloration.
