Adult clown changing colour question.

[rudie]

So I know it’s not something to worry about but curious if there’s a why here. One of my clowns, the male, has over the past month been gradually getting darker. He used to be all orange with a thick black outline but he’s not gone about 75% dark. What causes this?

Could it be stress? We suspect his mated clown is not doing well, as her activity has decreased a lot in the past few weeks, we suspect old age, so could it be he’s worried about her?

Parameters are all in range, salinity is good as well, mostly just curiosity here

 

[Fishn28]

I think clownfish develop darker colors last, so the black color will be the last color to full develop. He’s just now Turing to his “true” color

 

[Tahoe61]

How old is the female?
It's routine for clowns to change coloration as they mature.

 

[littlefoxx]

If your female isnt doing well he is probably getting ready to challenge her and change to female would be my guess. They also get darker as they age

 

[rudie]

I think clownfish develop darker colors last, so the black color will be the last color to full develop. He’s just now Turing to his “true” color

From what I understand in reading he’s past that point in his maturity cycle due to his age but maybe?

 

[rudie]

How old is the female?
It's routine for clowns to change coloration as they mature.

They’re the same age and they’ve been a mated pair for a few years now we’re told