I would say yes.A lot of fish turn to different colors when frightened.Every time I clean the bottom of my tank my fish look different.I used to have a fiji foxface that turned to marble when he got scared!!
Are you talking about a 3/5 striped damsel? If you are I wish you luck. I had one and he was a real jerk. Any new fish I put in the tank he would terrize(sp?). I had to grt rid of him. Good luck!
I have a striped damsel that is quite a %$#@ also. He mellowed out some after I chased him all over the tank trying to catch him so I could return his tail to the store. Never did catch the lil SOB but it calmed him down some.