Tang losing color when cleaned?

[mander]

Ok this may be a basic question but I've never seen it before. I have a new Achilles Tang and YAY he has been visiting the cleaner shrimp regularly! Hooray for that.

Lately the shrimps have been cleaning what I suppose are his gills - hanging on underneath him and picking away by his lower fin. When they do this he loses all his color and turns a sort of pale tan or blonde color, like the end of an espresso shot. He is normally a beautiful deep purpley-brown. He regains his color a few seconds after the cleaning is done.

I assume it is, but is this normal? Anyone know why this happens? Just curious!

 

[mander]

no one?

 

[BangkokMatt]

Tangs often change colors. Usually at night or during stress.My purple tang is light grey / purple with a stripe down his middle when he wakes up. I don't know why yours changes when being cleaned. Maybe its uncomfortable for it. I don't think you have anything to worry about if he is quickly returning to his original color.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

My achellies does the same exact thing. I think it is a sign of submission so he doesnt scare the shrimp.

 

[mander]

I thought maybe it was uncomfortable/painful as well. I like the idea of submission though too - except that he doesn't tend to pale until the mid-to-end of the cleaning, before he wiggles the shrimp off. That's sorta why I thought it hurt - like towards the end of a tattoo when you feel like you're going to pass out! ;-)

Thanks for the responses!