Baby Onyx Clowns?

I have a problem. I bought these onxy clowns when they were about 3 months old, as a pair. I had them shiped from Sandi-ago Ca. I chose them because of the black and orange color. My bigger 1 hasn't shown any black, and moved right into my BTA. The smaller 1did have some, but since choosing to host a hammer coral has started to loose it. They are captive bred. I didn't know when I got them that they might loose the black in the wrong host. I really good about research, but come on. This 1 took me. Now I have 2 onyx clowns I paid an absurd amount of money for with out the color I wanted.

Please help. I'm already prepping my tank to maybe take on a new anemone if need be.

 

I would wait like a year before trying to evaluate the true coloration of your clowns. They may never turn the Onyx just based on their genetics rather than where they reside.

Curious as to the site or reference that provided information regarding the effect of host on clownfish coloration. Yes some fish show black pigmentation to being stung by certain corals, such as euphyllias but I do not know it went any farther than that.

 

Reef central, there's a thread on there about it. Unfortunately I've watched my little clown get his black over the past 3 months. This last week hes been in the hammer and is quickly loosing the black. I've seen the parent fish they appear to have good genetics. That may not mean much though.
A pic when they first came.

The small 1

The top of it's head was all black.

 

Moved to fish board. Please post on right boards. Thanks

 

Sorry about that

 

They look far to young to be able to predict their true coloration as adults. The breeding pair can also be stunning onyx and still produce average lesser grade clowns, but I would sure give them at least a year to color up.

 

I'm Pretty sure I'll need to get them a new anemone. My tank stable and I'll be getting some more lights. I will need better lighting. I'm going to try a Heteractis magnifica.

 

Has anyone out there heard of this happening w/ the onyx clowns?

 

Color has nothing to do with their host. Clownfish do not need host nems to survive or 'have" color. Where do you plan on keeping a 3 meter anemone?

 

From what I've read my 55 should be okay for a while if it starts as a small 1, and I am planning a bigger tank any way soon.
And I beg to differ about the anemone not effecting a clowns color. A couple of those w/ the onyx have also experienced this w/ an anemone that wasn't the natural host. When a more natural 1 was put in the fish regained their color.