Multicolor getting drab/dull

[LobsterOfJustice]

Do these fish just lose a lot of their bright coloration and clean look as they get older?

I bought the fish as a large adult, already over 3". Here is a video and some pictures when I first got the fish in the summer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_3939-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_3938-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_3937-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/th_MVI_3948-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/?action=view&current=MVI_3948-1.flv)

And here are the pictures now. Seems like he has darkened a lot, and lost most of the blue (esp the flourescent highlights - notice the head striping). Just has mostly white and black now, with some yellow. is this an age thing? Anything I can do about it? I feed a pretty good variety of foods: brine, mysis, bloodworms, krill, various mixes (emerald entree, marine cuisine) as well as dry foods like NLS and Ocean Nutrition flakes and pellets.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_4542-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_4549.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_4550.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/IMG_4555.jpg

[nitro4kthompson]

I have read about centropyge angels changing color under bright light. Maybe this is why yours has darkened quite a bit.

P.S. How about a FTS? Your corals are beautiful.

[Dejavu]

Yep, they will darken with strong light. Not much you can do to stop it beside using less light.

[SDguy]

Yes, they will darken in captivity, but I don't know about losing the blue stripes?

[JamesJR]

That darkening doesn't look like it is due to the lighting but more to stress.

[cwoods8]

Multicolors are known to do that in the long run.....
lookin more like a Nahacki already.

[LobsterOfJustice]

That darkening doesn't look like it is due to the lighting but more to stress.

Shouldnt be stress, up until sunday (these pics were taken before then) he was the largest fish in his 180. Other fish are anthias, gobies, etc. Just added Butterfly and another angel sunday.