Black Spots on Clownfish?

[ssick92]

Hey everyone,

My Mohawk Puzzle Oscellaris has started to become darker and get some black spots on him. I know usually these are associated with coral stings, but he has never hosted anything. He sleeps in the top corner of the tank so I know he isn't getting stung at night. He is super healthy, active, and eating a lot. I have no reason to believe he has a parasite or anything because everything in the tank is totally clear of all signs of ick and everything is super healthy and growing like crazy.

Is it possible that he is just turning darker/black to match the full B&W I have?

Here is a picture of the spots, they are on both sides:

Mohawk Clownfish by JHelmuthPhoto, on Flickr

 

[rickjd]

Wow I have never seen black spots like that before. That is strange. Great looking fish - though! I would just keep a good eye on him and his health. I would not try treating him with meds unless you know or have figured out what exactly those spots are. Good luck.

 

[ssick92]

Any ideas?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

[Fish_Freek]

Bump. My pair displays this on occasion as well. Not sure what causes this... The eat like pigs and seem healthy.

 

[Airickj]

I noticed a black spot one night on my occellaris and the next day it had dissapeared

 

[ssick92]

They seem to be spreading/growing, but his behavior still hasn't changed at all. Still seems as healthy as ever...


Mohawk Clown 2 by JHelmuthPhoto, on Flickr

 

[Wretched]

Mine started gaining black spots after hosting my RBTA. I think it has something to do with them hosting the coral, like sting marks... but im not 100%

 

[ssick92]

Mine started gaining black spots after hosting my RBTA. I think it has something to do with them hosting the coral, like sting marks... but im not 100%

Correct, that is usually the case, but in my case he hasn't hosted an LPS or anemone...

 

[cichlidconvert]

My pink skunks have grey spots. They host two huge gigantea. I imagine that they are sting marks but I am only guessing.

 

[shifty51008]

They dont have to live in the coral to get the spots, just brushing up against the coral when swimming around can cause it. I agree that they are just coral stings though.

 

[ssick92]

They dont have to live in the coral to get the spots, just brushing up against the coral when swimming around can cause it. I agree that they are just coral stings though.

They never brush up against any of my corals. The only thing they host is my return pipe...

95% sure they aren't stings.

 

[FishNutty]

Looks just like what happened to one I had a few years back when it decided to cuddle with a torch...
If it's not that, I'm stumped.

 

[sparky45]

In the second pic the eyes look orange. Are you sure it isn't a picasso? Its a beautifu clown.

 

[ssick92]

In the second pic the eyes look orange. Are you sure it isn't a picasso? Its a beautifu clown.

He definitely could be. I never learned all the differences between Picasso, Puzzle, and all the cool Clownfish; I was just sold this as a Mohawk Clown so that's what I've been referring to him as.

I didn't have to pay big bucks for him so I'd be surprised if he is some special type of Clown, but I sure do love him

 

[greech]

From my own experience I would say those are definitely coral stings.

 

[ssick92]

From my own experience I would say those are definitely coral stings.

Any thoughts as to why he doesn't have any marks on his white stripes, but only on his colored areas?

 

[greech]

No, I don't but my previous orange and whites would zip through a colony of paly's in a nano cube I used to have running and that is exactly what they looked like. It got so bad that I eventually took that rock out and the black spots healed and went away. Could just be dumb luck that the tentacles/sweepers didn't make contact with the white areas.

I'm not saying those are coral stings on your fish. All I was saying is that from my own experience, the spots pictured are identical to those I saw on my fish.

 

[bues0022]

They never brush up against any of my corals. The only thing they host is my return pipe...

95% sure they aren't stings.

Unless you are able to watch him all day everyday, I would bet that this is not true. As others have said, it only takes a brush against a coral for it to sting your fish. when your clown zips around the tank, I would be willing to bet it accidentally brushes against corals, most likely not intentionally (which is why you do not see or believe it happens).

It's not a big deal to the fish if you don't mind the spots.

 

[mikelee35]

Any thoughts as to why he doesn't have any marks on his white stripes, but only on his colored areas?

I think the white spots lack the pigment required to actually show the stings, none of mine have ever had spots on their white either, but mine have always been due to my torch and hammer corals

Mike

 

[ssick92]

What about these black spots?


RBTA Clown by JHelmuthPhoto, on Flickr