Molt color change, some do, some don't

[Leviathan_XE]

Was just wondering why some species such as P.ciliata and N.wennerae change colors during a molt when subjected to different light intensities and others such as O.scyllarus, G.smithii, or G. platysoma do not. Anyone feel free to chime in here.
I've only owned an N.wenn, which changed colors from red to green, a platysoma which stayed the same color the 5 months I had it and my smithii from a year ago and the one I own now which both had a dark green color with red intersegmental lines. Has anyone noticed any color change in the particular species that they keep?

[justinl]

As you noted, different species can change colour morphs. All species can, to a degree. Even O. scyllarus may go darker or lighter or more or less green. There's even been a red O. scyllarus (see Dr. Roy's gallery for pics of that beauty). In short, depends on conditions, species, and even the individual.

I believe Dr. Roy also mentioned that very little work had been done in this area. So we can mostly just speculate as to teh triggers althuogh we can be pretty sure about some factors such as shelter/predator abundance, light intensity, and species

[Gonodactylus]

Even G. platysoma change color. When collected on white sand, they are light, On an algal covered reef flat, they are much darker.

Roy

[VacavilleFC3S]

my platysoma is cream with several shades of green making a camo look

[Gonodactylus]

The mottled coloring and species specific colors such as the red antennules, while eyes and orange side markings stay the same. The background color lightens or darkens according to background. I've seen the dark shades of the mottle go from chocolate brown to light olive.

Roy