tang changing colors

[dviper150]

I have a sailfin that changes colors frequently. I know it does it to show its mood but during the day it turns super light and at night its almost all dark brown. Why does it do this? Just curious and wanted to know.

 

[Eric the half-bee]

mY sailfins and other tangs do the same. It's probably our perception of their coloring in the dark along with some darkening by the fish. I'm just guesstimating.

 

[davocean]

Mine usually turn dark when something is bugging them, or stressed.
What size tank is this in?

 

[dviper150]

Tank size is 150 gallons. It only turns dark when the lights go off at night. During the day, its light colored.

 

[davocean]

Oh well that is common too, seem to get dark when sleeping.
150g is about min for a small to med sailfin, but they do get really big, and eventually may outgrow that tank just FYI.

 

[snorvich]

Night time coloration is not unusual; many fish do that.

 

[IFbettas]

As others stated, it is normal for tangs to have different colors at night.

My sailfin tang changes colors during the day too, if something is bothering him. If there is a large group of people looking at the tank he gets really dark in color. When I feed him he often gets super light in color such that he doesn't look like he has stripes. I don't know why he does it; just my observations.

 

[MAMGM]

I think it stress or mood related during the day, and a safety thing at night to help blend in.