Regal Demoiselle Turning White

[ariellemermaid]

I have a handful of Regal Demoiselle’s in QT with a firefish. In the past week or two we’ve noticed that one of them seems to be consistently white on a band around the fish just before the tail. The rest of the fish color is a little less black too. He hides a little more than the other fish but generally no other issues noted. He swims wicked fast so even a half-decent picture has been challenging but I finally captured the ones below. The fish do nip at each other a bit, however, there’s enough of them that no one fish gets picked on as far as I can tell and no damage noted on any fish. So is this just stress? All fish are eating and actively swimming. It’s just strange to me only one fish looks this way.

And a normal one that photo bombed:

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have a handful of Regal Demoiselle’s in QT with a firefish. In the past week or two we’ve noticed that one of them seems to be consistently white on a band around the fish just before the tail. The rest of the fish color is a little less black too. He hides a little more than the other fish but generally no other issues noted. He swims wicked fast so even a half-decent picture has been challenging but I finally captured the ones below. The fish do nip at each other a bit, however, there’s enough of them that no one fish gets picked on as far as I can tell and no damage noted on any fish. So is this just stress? All fish are eating and actively swimming. It’s just strange to me only one fish looks this way.

And a normal one that photo bombed:

I'm sorry - I looked at your post last night, and started to reply and then I must have gotten sidetracked.

I have not had this species before, but I've kept related damsels. The pictures aren't super-clear, but it looks to me that the one is taking on stress coloration. My guess would be from the other damsel. you may never see overt fighting, but I bet there is some intimidation going on. There are damsels that can pretty much flash their colors on and off depending on their mood....this species may be able to do that.

Jay

 

[ariellemermaid]

I'm sorry - I looked at your post last night, and started to reply and then I must have gotten sidetracked.

I have not had this species before, but I've kept related damsels. The pictures aren't super-clear, but it looks to me that the one is taking on stress coloration. My guess would be from the other damsel. you may never see overt fighting, but I bet there is some intimidation going on. There are damsels that can pretty much flash their colors on and off depending on their mood....this species may be able to do that.

Jay

Thanks; I think that makes the most sense!