What have my clowns been kissing!

[SDguy]

I just noticed tonight...my clowns have grey lips :eek2: I've never seen anything like it. Any ideas? They are an established, breeding pair. Whatever it is, it doesn't bother them enough to stop eating BUT judging by the way they are acting (yawning and such), whatever it is "bothers" them somewhat....

sorry for the crappy pics....

 

[traveller7]

Many clowns "mouth" the tentacles of their anemones, it appears the lips are exhibiting melanism as well as the sides of your clowns, i.e. the dark patches. A common response to hosting in LPS, xenia, zoa, etc.

In most cases it appears harmless, but I have not seen dark lips as depicted.

 

[SDguy]

Couple more pics....

 

[SDguy]

Wow, so suddenly? They've been in the euphyllia for quite some time now....

 

[traveller7]

Only a guess, but have they been cleaning substrate lately? Possibly a combination of factors.

Regardless, they show plenty of additional marking from the hosts on their flanks and it is the best guess I have

 

[SDguy]

Alright, thanks for the info. I guess no one really likes to hear "well, that's what they are going to look like now (ugly)"

I'll keep an eye on things...if appetite or behavior changes, I'll be back!

 

[traveller7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12170698#post12170698 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
Alright, thanks for the info. I guess no one really likes to hear "well, that's what they are going to look like now (ugly)"

Move the fish to an environment without the LPS and it is quite likely the coloration will fade

 

[SDguy]

Another excuse to buy a second tank

 

[traveller7]

Eggactly :>)