Black spots on my Clown (pics)

[pezcubano]

One of my clowns just developed these black spots. The other clown might be getting spots as well (not sure yet, I'll probably know tomorrow).

Both clowns are behaving totally NORMAL. Eating like hogs and swimming around all day. There is nothing out of the ordinary in their behavior (no heavy breathing, no rubbing on rocks or substrate, etc...)

Any idea what this is???

 

[Percula9]

They will probably go away. Is there an anemone in the tank?

 

[pezcubano]

No Anenome.
I have some Apstia (spelling)

If its a sting I'll let it work itself out. I just want to make sure its not a disease.

 

[Spracklcat]

Look at previous posts of what people here call "Black Ich": it's a Turbellarian worm, an external parasite that can be treated with Formalin baths.

That said, I've seen some clowns with black spots that seem to be just normal parts of their pigmentation too. If the clowns seem to be suffering, and your fish look like the pics of "Black Ich" then Formalin may be the way to go.

 

[Puffer Queen]

I can not pull up the pic on my laptop at work....

Another possibility that is quite common amongst clowfish hpermelanization. This is a common problem with clown fish that are 'stung' by their anemone, coral, etc.....quite possible that the aptasia is the problem.

 

[pezcubano]

I'm thinking its hypermelanization. The 2nd clown doesn't really have any spots on it and the clown with the spots seems totally healthy. If he looked sick I would think black ich. Does Black Ich cause visible signs of stress on the fish (heavy breathing, rubbing, glazed eyes, anything???)

Also, doesn't black ich usually hit tangs?

 

[Spracklcat]

You do see it more often on tangs, but other fish can be affected as well. But like you said the fish seems to be have normally so it's probably not parasites.

 

[pelochas]

this is my clown, i beleive they are stings since the galaxea i have is really pulling out their stingers way way out, like 6 to 10 inches and its just war with the zoos and mushrooms

going to quaratine anyways to be sure. im really looking into the yellow and blue tangs since they had ich in the paste and they had signs of ich before the clown. so far nothing

 

[pezcubano]

The spots on your clown look very similar to mine.
I'm still thinking stings. Haven't put mine in QT and I'm hoping I won't have to!!
Pelochas - Let me know if your tangs come down with something. No one else in my tank is showing any signs of ich or anything else for that matter.

 

[kevin2000]

Definitley not "black ich" ... as other have indicated its common for clowns to get black spots when they try to host in corals/anemone's.

 

[pezcubano]

Thanks!