Color Changing Damsels?

[kappadoku]

Hey guys. Picked up a pair of Yellow Tailed Damsels Saturday. They acclimated OK and are eating. BUT, one of them seems to be able to drastically change color on command. It goes from the regular dark neon blue to a light sky blue and back in about 60 seconds time. Its usually after I turn on the lights, and it comes out to reinforce its territory to the other damsel. It also did this while still in the bag with the other and acclimating, it had only been in there 15 minutes or so, dont think O2 was an issue.
Ever seen it happen? It also had a different personality and feeding habits than the other. I wonder If I got a male and female?

 

[b_ball12_99]

My blue damsel turns purple when the lights are out and then turns the pretty blue again when they come on. The stripes on my green damsels turns brown when the lights are off.

 

[kappadoku]

Dont ya think you can attribute that to the lights? Mine changes color after the lights are on, and sometimes in the middle of the day for no reason, other than to run the other damsel off.

 

[the don]

I am pretty sure the damsels color changing has to do with their moods. When i first bought 2 blue damsels they turned black in the bag and after a few hours getting acclimated in the tank they turned back to the bright blue. I have also seen it happen before my eyes, the fish turns light to dark, back to light, in a matter of seconds.

 

[paulytee]

I think its based on moods also. I have a couple of clowns and 3 green chromis damsels and when they "chase" each other or fight over territory, the clown will turn dark orange and the chromis will turn almost black. Its actually quite amazing to watch the fish interact!

 

[kappadoku]

I saw it agian this morning! As soon as I turned the lights on, she came out, nice neon blue. As soon as she saw the other damsel, she blanched! a pale bue, almost white! right before my eyes! The other damsel must have taken the hint, and stayed back. About 60 seconds later, she changed back just as fast! It takes between 3-5 seconds for the whole body to change, and it starts at the tail and works toward her head. Funny thing- hey yellow tail doesnt change at all!