Percula clownfish turning black

[Alex Hanneman]

I’ve had two percula clownfish for around 6 months and for the first time one of them is starting to turn black. I read somewhere that it might be do to stress and I noticed the clown swimming frantically at the glass prior to it turning black. It isn’t completely black just the top but I wanted to make sure it’s not some type of disease. Thanks!

 

[ccombs]

Pictures would be really useful. Some clowns (designer clowns especially) change colors as they get older. This does not sound like one of those situations, but it is helpful to see what is going on and know all of the fact.

Welcome to R2R by the way, sorry it had to be on such bad circumstances.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Many clowns will darken with age, so likely it’s just a normal transition.

But, pictures would help to be sure ;)

 

[Idoc]

Age darkens them...stress lightens their colors in my experience.

It took mine 6 months to darken to their original color after they lightened up during the stress of 30 days of quarantine copper treatment.

 

[Alex Hanneman]

Thankyou! And here is the fish.

 

[ccombs]

Thankyou! And here is the fish.

Hmmm, that is a tough one because that really looks like the fish just getting older and changing. Do you know what they were sold to you as? Anything involving Mocha or Black and White?

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forum/index.php?threads/orange-mocha-clownfish-turning-black.93763/

I see the other one getting some black color as well. IMHO that does not look like a disease, but let's see what the general consensus is. I would hate to tell you everything is ok, but in reality there is something wrong.

Anything else seem off? These come to mind-
Erratic Behavior
Swimming Into Powerheads
White Stringy Poop
Lethargic
Sensitive to Light
Not Eating

 

[D-Nak]

Those don't look like percs. I'm guessing possibly ocellaris or a hybrid as previously suggested, which explains why they are getting darker. However, I don't think they're mochas, as most young mochas are brownish orange, not bright orange and black. My guess would be that they are Photons.

Melanism also occurs as a result of the host. It could be that they're trying to use your Condy as a host which is causing a reaction.