What kind of nem should Onyx clowns be in to keep their black coloring?

[mantis1437]

I got 2 pair of Onyx clowns I got not too long ago and I have notice their black colors are begining to fade. There are no nems in the tanks. I wonder what kind of nems I should keep them with to gain and or keep their black colors? I recall reading some where about this but dont recall where. Any help is great!

Thanks
Michael

 

[elegance coral]

First, I'd make sure they're exposed to strong lighting, and have an abundant and healthy diet. That alone should keep them pretty dark. Haddoni does seem to help though.

 

[this is me]

For my pair, gigantea, haddoni, and crispa keep my clowns as black a possible.
BTA and magnifica faded their black when I had the anemone.
I recently bought two BTA and the clowns don't even go near them since they have their two gigs and haddoni. All is good. My BTA keeps their bubbles too without the clowns. Not sure I hosting clowns makes the bubbles go away for BTA though.

 

[deangelr]

IME Gigs really darken clowns.. Mag's will turn them lighter.. No anemone is somewhere in the middle..

My BTA keeps their bubbles too without the clowns. Not sure I hosting clowns makes the bubbles go away for BTA though.

I don't think anyone really knows.. There is this: "In the presence of a resident fish, the tentacles of E. quadricolor bulge near the end, but in the absence of of a fish, the tentacles commonly lack bulbs" Fautin and Allens clownfish book.. But there is no evidence to support anything either way.