Black spots on clownfish

[ckfazz]

I have two small tank raised percula clownfish in my 12g nano tank that have black spots all over them. They look almost like dark brown/black freckles. All of my paramters are fine and are as follows:

temp - 80
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phos - 0
Calcium - 420
Alk - 9dKH

I do weekly water changes of about 15% with RO/DI water and match the temp/salinity with the tank water. The spots first started about a week ago with only one spot on one of the clownfish and now both fish have it covering their bodies. They are not raised at all and actually don't seem to be bothering them. They are both swimming, breathing, eating and acting normal. Any ideas as to what this is and how to cure it? Everything else in my tank is doing fine (snails, shrimp, zoas, xenia and monit cap)

Thanks
Chris

 

[impur]

What do they host it? From what i've seen, and experienced, this is usually from stings from the host. My clown started hosting a frogspawn and got these spots for about a year. Eventually they went away. Never affected the fish.

 

[ckfazz]

I haven't seen them really "host" in anything since I have had them (about 2 months). The only thing that they could host in would be a xenia that I have in my tank but they only bother it a few times per day. All of the other corals that I have right now are zoas and a small monti cap. Come to think of it, these spots only started after I added the xenia but I didn't think that xenia could have this kind of affect on fish.

 

[impur]

Its possible. Any pics?

Here are a few pics of mine. Does yours look similar?

 

[ckfazz]

Yes! That's it exactly except mine have more spots on them. Thanks impur. Is that the discoloration from touching the corals?

 

[impur]

Yah, since its not a natural host i think that it takes awhile to get used to it. Took about 7 or 8 months but its completely cleared up now.

Here she is now. Ain't she cute!?!?

 

[d_icemand]

i have that same thing with my two clowns. so they are actually ok? mine host in some white stalk xenia.

 

[rjwilson37]

If you have any Zoanthid's, they get that as well from brushing the zoanthid's or torches carry a good sting as well.

 

[abernaka]

mine too!

mine too!

I think mine have the same,

 

[kewliz]

Mine got that from whoring with the GSPs. They still haven't gone away, but then, they're always in there.

 

[Maker]

Good to know. I am having the same thing happening to my Tomato Clown. I was very worried when they first appeared. After long and careful examination I figured they were from some mushrooms he was resting on. He has had those spots for about 4 months now and he doesn't seem to be bothered. Good to know this is normal.

Maker