Domino Damsel Question

[jeffmdavis]

Hi All,
I have a Domino Damsel that I have had for a few months. He is growing and eating well. I have started to notice that the black over the spot on his head is not black any more but he has a grayish patch. there. Is it normal for Damsels as they get older to loose the real dark black look and "Fade" to more of Gray?

thanks

[LisaD]

I'm not positive about the domino specifically, but it is very common for juvenile damsels to be colorful and for adults to be much more drab.

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

so true...

[Ironsheikh]

yeah, they change color as adults -- either all black or blue grey. I like the look of dominos --i picked up a nice snowflake domino which are the ones from hawaii w/ a huge white streak on thier sides rather than a small patch. They also have gold belly dominos --but they all fade when they get older. But, maybe it's diet too because your domino is still young I'm guessing

[jeffmdavis]

He is young. I feed them frozen Brine and Mysis Shrimp, frozen Butterfly& Angel food as well as flakes. I feel like the diet is well rounded. I guess he is just turning a little early. He acts and looks very healthy.

[stevebydac]

The color change is very normal. If he is eating and acting well, I wouldn't worry, as long as your tank parameters are ok.

[jeffmdavis]

Does anyone know how fast these things grow?

[jcopp24]

I believe the size or rate of growth is set upon the parameters on your tank. My Domino ( pictured below ) at two years old, was the size of my thumb nail when I purchased it. His name is Mike Vick cause he is a fast mo fo... mine however has not faded in color at all...
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/522/54654domino-thumb.jpg
You can see in the next pic how big he is in comparison to the Tomatoe Clown
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/522/54654domclarktom.jpg
These fish eat Marine Cuisine and Emerald Entree, I also add in Kent Marine Garlic Xtreme which I let the food marinade in :)

[RGBMatt]

The fish in that photo is a 3-spot damsel, which has more stable colouration than the Hawaiian Domino damsels.

Dominos start out small and cute, but quickly become big, ugly, and gray. However, at night they regain their juvenile black-with-white-spot pattern.