My orange shoulder tang

[twisted]

So, I've had an ost for a year now that came from ao. When we got it it was the pretty two tone gray. Within two days of being in my tank it turned yellow. I have a yellow tang that didn't like him too much until he turned yellow. Now they are best buds. Will my oj ever go back to gray? I don't think it's diet. I feed seaweed sheets and elos svm2 along with mysis and other meaty foods. Is it because of the yellow tang or was it coincidence?


Twisteds 180 Reef

 

[redfishbluefish]

Juvenile OST’s are yellow. Your guy is still too young. He was probably thinking about it when you picked him up, but jumped back into his yellow color in your tank. They have the ability to color change.

How big is your guy….my understanding is that they turn to adult colors somewhere in between 3 – 5 inches…..which could be up to 3 to 4 years old.

 

[twisted]

He's close to 5". He looked pretty mature when we got him. Maybe he did it to find favor with the yellow tang?


Twisteds 180 Reef

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here’s your answer:

"It's very common, in the beginning, that once it starts to change into the adult colors, for it to change back into the Juv colors, specially if there is an aggressive fish in the tank. Eventually this will stop and will go on to complete the full adult colors."

From HERE

 

[twisted]

Thanks! I'll check the link. I can't wait to see him back the way we got him. We drove to ao a few day after last years big snow to get him. 35 only had a north lane and it looked apocalyptic around trop and r to r.


Twisteds 180 Reef

 

[twisted]

Yep! That's the reason. Thanks again


Twisteds 180 Reef