Is this normal for clownfish???

[techigirl78]

I posted this in the reefkeeping forum, but thought some people in this forum would know the answer.

I was just getting ready to add a blue tang and royal gramma to my tank when I noticed my clownfish pair have black spots. They are large enough to easily see them a few feet from the tank.

I found a picture on wetwebmedia that looks like my clownfish: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/DamselPI...spot%20copy.jpg

On that site it indicates this can be a rash from zoanthids, which I do have in the tank. I have a yellow tang, canary blenny, orange spotted blenny, and yasa hashe goby that all look fine. All the fish are eating and acting normal. This wasn't on either of the clownfish last night. I added both about a month ago to the tank after being in QT for about a month with no issues. I also did a water change last night and replaced some carbon and added phosban. Is this just a rash or should I be more concerned?

I'd like to add the other fish to the tank if it is just a rash, but want some assurance. It definitely doesn't look like the common problems like ich, black spot, or brook.

[techigirl78]

I just checked and none of the bumps appear to be raised either. The larger of the two has a number more then the smaller one. If it is zoas, I kind of expect this as the smaller one follows the larger one around. Thoughts?

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

Your link doesn't work..just thought I'd point that out.

[techigirl78]

Thanks for pointing it out, I didn't notice. See below.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/DamselPIX/Clownfishes/wwwclnspot%20copy.jpg

[killagoby]

Did you QT the new fish yet? I'm still looking at fish diseases for you.

[killagoby]

Try this link. (http://www.saltwater-aquarium-guide.com/Health-and-Disease-page1.htm) There are a few pages that might help...

[techigirl78]

I don't want to add the tang to my QT. It is about 5"-6" and I only have a 30 and a 20 for QT. I did stop acclimating it to my 125 for the moment and will add it to my 75 as a temp solution if needed. This at least would be better then the smaller QT tanks. I know the tang and gramma are both healthy as they came from my friends tank and he's had both fish with no new additions to the tank for at least a year if not two.

Everywhere I look, the only info I can find is about a possible rash from something in the tank. I checked out that site and nothing stood out. As far as I know, black ich is very small specs, versus what I am seeing. I also couldn't find anything on flukes that are black. The spots are not raised either, which makes me think flukes are out.

I'm kind of just trying to see if anyone can confirm what was mentioned on wetwebmedia about it being a rash: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnfshdisfaq13.htm (about half way on the page)

[killagoby]

Can you scoop out the Clown and QT it?

[techigirl78]

Yes, I could get both the clownfish out and QT them seperately.

[GSMguy]

hypermelanization.??? its a thing percs and ocellaris do sometimes when they are coloring up and usully fills in or goes away. id need to see a picture of your clownfish to be sure...

[killagoby]

You might want to QT the Clown until you can find out what is is and then treat it alone in the QT tank. I'd start by lowering the SG slowly.

[killagoby]

PS- Can you take some pictures of the clown that you have in your tank and post them?

[techigirl78]

Here's the best that I could get quickly:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/techigirl78/clownfish.jpg

Is this good enough or should I try for a better picture?

[GSMguy]

dont QT that fish, its just some hypermelanization it does not look like black ich to me.

[techigirl78]

Thanks! Looks like I'll finish getting the tang and gramma ready for the 125. I'll just keep an eye on the clownfish.

I had such a good day and then this made me flip out a little. I'm glad to at least find out some info about hypermelanization. Never heard of it before today. Thanks!

[killagoby]

It's always a scary thing when your fish show possible signs of a disease. Thanks for posting a pic...