Questions about clowns losing their color

[ezhoops]

I would like some feedback about your experiences with your clowns losing their black coloration while in the presence of certain species of anemones.

I am hearing conflicting information on certain things and would like some clarification. Please include your own personal experiences.

I am specifically interested in the A. Percula species (onyx variation) and how host anemones affect their black coloration (either good or bad)

IME I have kept a onyx pair in a RBTA for several months with any lose of black coloration.

What I am trying to clear up is if some anemones cause A.Percula to lose their black coloration.

I've been told that BTA's of any color with cause them to lose their coloration, as well as most LTA's with purple being the acception.

I have also read that merely having a BTA or LTA present in the tank (not necessarily hosting the clowns) can affect their coloration.

Please help me clarify

 

[deangelr]

Alright, well I have a pretty cool example I think so I will share. I have a pair of platinums that have tons of melanistic features. For the first 16 months I had them they were in a Gig. They were maturing (and I think still are) so they were always get more and more new dark features.

I lost the Gig to a powerhead and replaced it with a Magnifica. Within weeks the clowns were completely stripped off almost all the black features they had. I have removed the platinums from the Mag about two weeks ago and you can clearly see the color coming back..

I have pictures of all three stages.. I know these have been seen quite a bit on the forum but for sequences purposes here they are again.. The last one I took 2 seconds ago..

Day 1 with MAG

Day 1 without Mag, only 4 weeks after pic above

Today, 2 weeks without Mag. (sorry about poor picture). The clown on the left is the clown from the above pictures. You can see his chin and face mask coming back, as well as several other features if it were a better picture.

I honestly am amazed by the whole process.... so strange.

 

[davocean]

My Picasso's were becoming more black just fine until I added a BTA to the picture, and then total reversal of black color.
I pulled the BTA and black came back, just like that.
LTA's I have not heard this issue as much, but I do know Toddrtrex had this happen w/ an LTA, and I'm pretty sure it was a purple LTA.

 

[ezhoops]

thanks those experiences are very helpful.

anyone else.

it should be interesting cause I have a haddoni (clowns are not hosting it though) and a tiny RBTA in the tank. so we will see what happens. So far no notice in lose of color.