Orange shoulder tang changed back to juvenile color

[saltyhog]

I have a juvie Blue Atlantic Tang that arrived in what appeared to be a transitional stage (despite his DD photo showing him to be bright yellow). Several weeks later he transitioned back to his bright yellow. Almost a year later he is starting to change to adult colors. I really think that's stress.

 

[H@rry]

I have an Orange Shoulder Tang that I got May 2, 2013. It has grown the orange shoulder but it is still as yellow as a Yellow Tang. Actually, I like it like that!

 

[4FordFamily]

I would think he would transition back. Changing settings for everyone always reshuffles the deck.

X2. In time. Who knows how much though

 

[anarchy]

I have an Orange Shoulder Tang that I got May 2, 2013. It has grown the orange shoulder but it is still as yellow as a Yellow Tang. Actually, I like it like that!

I hope mine doesn't stay yellow. I have enough yellow. I love the adult colors

 

[Jgomez324]

If you were living in a sitcom I'd believe you left town for a long weekend and your mother-in-law was responsible for watching your fish tank. You have always had a rough relationship with her, but your wife assured you that it was all a misunderstanding, and her caring for your beloved aquarium while you were away would illustrate the familial bond that has grown strong. Unfortunately for your mother-in-law, something happened to your beautiful orange shoulder and it was found dead. Distraught by the situation and filled with guilt over the loss of your fish she quickly wraps him up in a napkin and runs to the closest fish store. They give her a new juvenile and she quickly adds him back to your aquarium. Unfortunately your brother-in-law swings by at this moment and catches her in the act. She explains the entire situation to him and he exclaims with surprise that the two fish don't even look alike. As she begins to fret, he attempts to soothe his mother by stating "maybe Anarchy won't notice"...

or maybe something else happened. But until then, this is the most logical explanation.

Hahaha.....I'll buy that.

 

[LadAShark]

If it hasn't fully finished transitioning into an adult, reverting back is always a possibility, though rare.

It is almost always related to a social hierarchy. Older, established fish are much more tolerant of juveniles than of another adult.

Now if only we could accomplish this with Panther Groupers and some of the Larger angels. I like their juvenile colors more haha.

 

[saltyhog]

I hope mine doesn't stay yellow. I have enough yellow. I love the adult colors

I agree, they are awesome. I took these pictures last Sept of the Kona coast. This has to be an orange shoulder but I've never seen a blue one like this. We saw lots of these but none of the gray two tone color I see on LA.

 

[Maestro1]

When I first got it 11-7-15

By 11-22-15

5-10-

When I first got it 11-7-15

By 11-22-15

5-10-16

[/
Anarchy, I have the same situation with my orange shoulder reverting back to yellow from grey. Wondering if yours ever turned back to grey? The first fish in my tank was a quarter sized yellow tang, which I believe runs the tank even though it’s less than half the size of its tank mate, the orange shoulder now yellow shoulder tang.

 

[mikefirefox]

I have an Orange Shoulder Tang that I got May 2, 2013. It has grown the orange shoulder but it is still as yellow as a Yellow Tang. Actually, I like it like that!

Met too! I have a 7" OST that's been with me for a year now. I got it at 5.5" with adult mature colors then after 1 month, it became yellow. Here he is...

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Mine reverted back after 5 months in tank. I have 7 tangs and they all get along pretty well. He is around number 3 in pecking order behind Mata and Yellow

 

[Cboots0349]

Mine did the same thing. Went from full adult colors to almost all yellow.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Mine Identicle

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Do you all have yellow tangs that run the roost

 

[Dave-T]

My 5" OST just did the same thing! I've only had him about a month. He was fully into his adult colors when I first got him. I was researching about this, and came across this thread. I didn't know they could do that. I have a large gem tang that was beating on the OST pretty good when I first put him in the tank. Maybe that's what caused it? They seem to be getting along ok now.

I kind of like the yellow, although I do already have a YT in the tank.

 

[i cant think]

My 5" OST just did the same thing! I've only had him about a month. He was fully into his adult colors when I first got him. I was researching about this, and came across this thread. I didn't know they could do that. I have a large gem tang that was beating on the OST pretty good when I first put him in the tank. Maybe that's what caused it? They seem to be getting along ok now.

I kind of like the yellow, although I do already have a YT in the tank.

My theory behind the OST changing back to juvenile colours is due to dominance, and honestly this in a way proves the theory. Essentially my theory of dominance is;

The tang you buy at full adult colours is most likely the most dominant fish in the tank that the LFS, correct? Well, when you bring them home chances are you’ll have a most dominant fish (Whether that’s another tang or not). So the OST being the newbie will be the lowest ranking fish in the tank. What if those adult colours are actually a sign of the dominance the fish has.
Obviously this theory is disproven by wild specimens usually being in groups. But what if it’s correct for captive specimens? Many talk about their OST becoming a peaceful giant and the OST is usually the boss in those tanks.

 

[pasquale petrovia]

Mine is still yellow