What triggers a triggers colour?

[Navarre]

This is my first post on this forum, i hope someone can help with this problem

Was going to post this in the fish forum rather than the aggressive forum but i figured more trigger owners would be able to help me here.

I have a bluecheek trigger (male). When he was first purchased he was the standard colours of a blue cheek. Grey/blue body, bright blue cheeks, yello trim to the fins and bright blue eyes.
However, he has lost much of this colour over the months. Grey body, no blue cheek, no yellow on fins and the tail fins edge has turned yellow to brown.

Its very active and has a huge appetite, in all other aspects he seems fine.

Is it possible that males will turn to females if they dont pair up etc? (Sounds a stupid question really but i cant think why its lost its colour)

If its a dietary problem, im feeding it a variety of the following foods.
Cyclopeze, Krill, Mysis shrimp, whole cockle, and live mussel.

Any thougts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Reefcherie]

Navarre,


To Reef Central

Hmmm - a gray overall coloration sure sounds like that of a female. I've been doing some research on Xanthichthys auromarginatus, but haven't found anything helpful yet. Hopefully someone else here w/ more trigger experience will know the answer for you.

Cheri

[Navarre]

Thanks for the welcome and reply

No its definately a male. I will post some piccys of it when i first got it and then some recent photos some 6 months later.

Males have yellow fins and blue throats. females dont.
Unless these fish can change sex like clowns

Original colours


6 Months later


Any suggestions?

[billsreef]

I've not heard of this in this species, but perhaps a color change due to breeding condition.

[Navarre]

I experimented with the use of a mirror to see if the fish wuold start to disply more clour to defend its territory.
The stoopid fish ran for cover and cowared behind a rock!
What is this fish a trigger or a mandarin!

Seriously though, when he did come out he didnt take any notice of the reflection.. all the other fish were going mad but not my bluethroat, i knew they were laid back when compared to other triggers but not this laid back!

[FMarini]

Hi
usually these fish show best when they are in breedin colors, you can try the mirror idea, or at least naughty pictures of female blue cheeks (teeHee)
by the way female bluecheeks have peach or tanish colored fin margins, often have diminished blue on the cheeks (althou they do have blue). I don't think these fish change sexes either.

[Leslie]

I just noticed this thread and was wondering what you have been feeding your Trigger and if you use any vitamin or enrichment products.

I have often found that loss of coloration is related to diet and nutritional defiencies. There is some excellent nutrition information on www.wetwebmedia.com

HTH,