Black spots on my fish

[jigsaw1982]

I have recently noticed a few small black spots on my clownfish. Each spot is about the size of the tip of a needle. Although these spots are small, they are noticeable. My clownfish hasn't been acting funny or anything. He still eats fine but I'm just worried and hoping if these spots are the symptoms of some sickness I can cure it by catching it early.

 

[crewdawg1981]

Has your clown only recently taken to an Anemone? They can get small spots on their body while they acclimate to the sting.

 

[rdnelson]

Crewdawg1981;729598 wrote: Has your clown only recently taken to an Anemone? They can get small spots on their body while they acclimate to the sting.

Now that is nice to know. Haven't heard that one yet but since my clowns are showing interest in the GBTA I added last night, it may be handy info to have. Thanks boss. :yay:

 

[rtirado]

hyper melanization, they get it when flirting with any coral that can sting. Zoas, frogspawn, hammer coral.... you name it.

 

[jigsaw1982]

rtirado;729622 wrote: hyper melanization, they get it when flirting with any coral that can sting. Zoas, frogspawn, hammer coral.... you name it.

The only thing in my tank unfortunately is some Aiptasia and a few Red Mushrooms. Do you think the Aiptasia could have done this? I had a lot more Red Mushrooms until the Aiptasia INVADED & took over my tank. I am working on that though... I recently bought 3 peppermint shrimp and 1 Copperband Butterflyfish to combat the Aiptasia. It has taken some time but it seems to be working. !!!"I HATE AIPTASIA"!!! :shout::mad2::angryfire::cussing: .........lol

 

[rtirado]

haha, im pretty sure aiptasia could do it. It certainly stings other corals, and its a type of anemone i think.

 

[merkywater]

May also want to google "black ich" I had it once before, and it is a beast to get rid of. You must take all fish out and dip, so they do not have a host to breed on. Hope for your sake it isn't this. Good Luck!

 

[jigsaw1982]

merkywater;729728 wrote: May also want to google "black ich" I had it once before, and it is a beast to get rid of. You must take all fish out and dip, so they do not have a host to breed on. Hope for your sake it isn't this. Good Luck!

"Dip"... dip in what?

 

[fishwhisperer]

Be sure you know what it is before you "dip." I have seen some clowns begin to get black markings on them and it is nothing to worry about.

 

[patrick]

Black Ich......as referred to....is actually a turbellarian flatworm. They are not near as deadly as crypt or amyloodinium, but they can be unsightly and harmful in large numbers.

The best treatment is pH and temperature adjusted freshwater dips. Of course the parasite can reside off the fish as the worms feed off food and detritus in the substrate. You'd have to leave your tank fishless and foodless for months to kill them all off. Many people have had luck just dipping the noticeably infected fish and siphoning the substrate a couple times per week to limit food supply and hope they die off. Hopefully, that is not what you have. But, just another chance to offer the benefits of quarantine.

 

[merkywater]

Patrick;730093 wrote: Black Ich......as referred to....is actually a turbellarian flatworm. They are not near as deadly as crypt or amyloodinium, but they can be unsightly and harmful in large numbers.

The best treatment is pH and temperature adjusted freshwater dips. Of course the parasite can reside off the fish as the worms feed off food and detritus in the substrate. You'd have to leave your tank fishless and foodless for months to kill them all off. Many people have had luck just dipping the noticeably infected fish and siphoning the substrate a couple times per week to limit food supply and hope they die off. Hopefully, that is not what you have. But, just another chance to offer the benefits of quarantine.

+1 what Patrick said.