Polymnus losing color

[eclecticvibe]

I have an adult pair of polymnus clowns. I'm not sure how old they are as I'm their second owner but they've been in captivity for at least a year. They've been healthy since I've had them. I think they have eggs now as the female spends most of her time hiding behind the rockwork, always near the same place. The male is never far behind. I introduced an H. Crispa last week, but the clowns aren't hosting in it yet. They previously hosted vigorously in a Macrodatyl Doreensis. They have inspected this anemone, but haven't spent more than a few seconds in its tentacles.

I notice that the female is fading badly. It looks like her color has largely drained out. This hasn't been much of an issue for anyone else in the tank. All corals/inverts and other fish seem fine. The male doesn't seem to be losing color. I think it's worth noting that the female spends most of her time in a dark area. I have no idea if that's contributing to the fading color.

No water parameters have greatly changed. PH is 7.9 to 8.1, Calcium is 400, dKh 9, phosphates <.03, nitrates 0. I run ozone, though I've recently discontinued use due to a broken unit. I run carbon after the ozone. Tank is a 180 with a Euro-Reef skimmer. Deep Sand bed of 4"+.

I'd appreciate any input on what might be causing the sudden onset of disappearing colors. I've noticed the change over the past 3 days.

 

[eclecticvibe]

Unfortunately the female died over the night last night. I was very surprised as she didn't act sick at all. She was just losing color.

I didn't have anywhere to QT the H. Crispa, but it was at work for 2 weeks before I brought it home. It looks extremely healthy and eats well. The only other thing new at the time she started losing color was a pair of 8-line flasher wrasses who are coming along swimmingly

If anyone has any ideas as to what might have happened, I'd appreciate the input. I'd like to replace the female, but I want to know what happened to my old gal first.