Why does the emperor angelfish change colors?

[mattvd]

Currently have a juvenile emperor angelfish and excited to watch it change its coloring over the years.

Does anyone know why the emperor angelfish changes its appearance so drastically? Just looking to learn more about this fish.

 

[Rmckoy]

Currently have a juvenile emperor angelfish and excited to watch it change its coloring over the years.

Does anyone know why the emperor angelfish changes its appearance so drastically? Just looking to learn more about this fish.

Look at the majority of the large angelfish
Most of them have a blue and white juv colour with some different species marked a little different .
all with distinctive patterns to tell them apart .

 

[IKD]

Currently have a juvenile emperor angelfish and excited to watch it change its coloring over the years.

Does anyone know why the emperor angelfish changes its appearance so drastically? Just looking to learn more about this fish.

I believe the juvenile coloration helps with avoiding predation during their younger/vulnerable stages. The bolder/vibrant colorations come in as they get larger and have fewer predators.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Reefbuilders has a great article on this.

https://reefbuilders.com/2014/05/12/why-are-juvenile-marine-angelfish-so-different-from-adults/

 

[capted]

Yes, theory is that most angelfish will be aggressive with each other when they share the same colorations. The juveniles have different colts and patterns for this reason. This seems to be true with other species also like tangs. It is very interesting to watch the change. It is also stressful I read somewhere when the changes occur but I didn't notice that on my emporer. Take some pics because I feel like mine changed extremely fast. Almost like my kids!!!

 

[mattvd]

Yes, theory is that most angelfish will be aggressive with each other when they share the same colorations. The juveniles have different colts and patterns for this reason. This seems to be true with other species also like tangs. It is very interesting to watch the change. It is also stressful I read somewhere when the changes occur but I didn't notice that on my emporer. Take some pics because I feel like mine changed extremely fast. Almost like my kids!!!

Very interesting! Thanks all for the comments!

 

[mattvd]

Reefbuilders has a great article on this.

https://reefbuilders.com/2014/05/12/why-are-juvenile-marine-angelfish-so-different-from-adults/

Interesting, right now my emperor and yellow tang get along great. I wonder if that is going to change after the coloration and pattern change. Sounds like they might not be best of friends anymore when they’re grown up according to this article.