Black Spots On Clown

[Odysi]

Hey guys need help with figuring out whats wrong with my clown. He has always had 1 black spot on him and i could never figure out what it was. He has always been a good eater, swimmer and all around healthy fish. Today i noticed that the spots have multiplied. Here are some pics.

Water parameters today
NH3/NH4 - 0
NO2 - 0
NO3 - 0
PH - 8.1
KH/ALk - 9.3
CA - 390/400
MG- 1230
PO4 - .001-.003ppm

Tank inhabitants : x2 Clowns, Bi-Color Blennie, Purple Firefish and Black and white Chromis.
Corals: Torch, Duncan, Assorted Zoa's, Rainbow Acan and Ricordea garden.
Any help would be appreciated. He still seems healthy except the spots. Ive had the pair now for 4 months now would hate to lose him.

 

[alb_56]

I think it happens when they are hosted by a coral instead of a anemone.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

It's probably just his coloration. I had a clown for 10 years with markings like that. Black ich (turbellian worms) presents with much smaller spots. If the fish is not scratching, breathing hard and is eating ok I would say don't worry.

 

[Odysi]

I think it happens when they are hosted by a coral instead of a anemone.

I heard this too but I have never seen him go near my torch or duncan. I guess I will keep an eye on him. He seems ok just the dots.

 

[pyithar]

did the clown have the black spots at the time of purchase? if not, your clown might be hosting one of your corals, and that coral is stinging the clown. i think it's called hyper-melanization.

 

[Heathcoot]

Looks like he is hosting a Duncan or torch frogspawn or hammer

 

[Odysi]

I have both a duncan and a torch. For some reason my duncan hasn't fully opened the last few days maybe this is why?

 

[Heathcoot]

thats actually most probably why i had the same issue in my 180 and when they hosted it at first got the black spots and the duncan would stay well not stay but wasnt open to its fullest

 

[cloak]

did the clown have the black spots at the time of purchase? If not, your clown might be hosting one of your corals, and that coral is stinging the clown. I think it's called hyper-melanization.

+1

http://reefsanctuary.com/forums/fis...343-black-small-smudges-your-anemonefish.html

 

[kurt_n]

Yup... when I first saw the picture without reading more of the thread, I thought to myself, "Bet the person has a torch in the tank."

My bet is on the torch, not the Duncan. When I had a torch, my clown had those spots often. The torch is gone now, as well as the spots. I've had a Duncan for years, and I've never seen the clown get those spots.

 

[Odysi]

Hmmm I guess I'll keep an eye out and see if it the torch or the duncan. Guess maybe I'll have to move then one he is trying to host. Would getting a anemone help?

 

[kurt_n]

I never witnessed my clown actually "hosting" in my torch. I think the spots were just from casual encounters... kind of like the welts it raised on the back of my hand if I was careless. So in my opinion, moving the coral probably won't change anything. I never noticed any changes in the clown's health, with or without spots... and it's still with me coming up on 8 years. I wouldn't really be concerned if it seems healthy.

As far as getting an anemone, only get one if you want one. Even with one, there's no guarantee the clown will take to it.

 

[Odysi]

Getting a anemone wasnt at the top of my list of things to get. I wanted to wait for the tank to be more mature around 1 year or so, But if would stop the clowns for getting stung all the time then i would consider it. It the oddest thing i never see either clown go near my torch when im home. This must be happening at night or while im at work. I guess worst case i can get rid of my torch but i really do like it alot.

 

[cidbozek]

This happened to my clowns when they tried hosting my green hairy mushroom. They stopped after a couple days and cleared up in a week.

 

[Silvergryphon]

Check early mornings before the lights come on. Might developed the same thing when she slept in my zoas constantly.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

Looks like coral stings. It should be ok.

 

[droog]

My clowns have this also - they hosted an elegance coral. From the thread that cloak references, it seems they are getting stung and that this is a problem I should try and fix.

-droog