clown changing color

[keisersosei]

I have a false percula that appears to be turning black. I have seen black clowns before but this one started out orange. Do the black ones turn black as they mature, and if so could this be what's happening to mine? He is a juvenile. I have had it for about a month and he seems to be perfectly healthy. Thanks for your help.

 

[carrie1429]

Is he turning black all over or just on the top of him or around the white lines?

 

[anthony812]

if he is turning black from the first stripe to the second then it is a true percula clownfish not a occerlaris(excuse spelling) your clown fish may have been very young when you bought him thats why the black was clearly showing until he got older so look if you see black connecting the first 2 stripes

 

[keisersosei]

Actually it's more of a deep purple color but that could just be the actinic light. It is mainly at the top, not just around the white lines.

 

[carrie1429]

Flase percula clowns do this when the light is bright or something like that, they get kinda like a sun screen tint on top of them.

 

[keisersosei]

That's interesting. Thank you for explaining that.

 

[trompet3]

I have had 3 occelaris for probably 4 years now and when I finally switched over to MH lights last year, they started to "tan" and developed more of a blackish hue. I never knew why, I always just assumed it was probably just a protective pigment adaptation. Nice to know this happens to others as well!