Need help - False percs have black spots

[haggarse]

Hello,

I just put a rose BTA in my tank this evening and noticed my percs have black spots on them (a few small spots on each that look like pepper). I assume this a parasite but looking for help. I believe there is also a black ich, but thought it was more fore tanks and surgeons?

Anyone have experience with Melafix? Is it reef safe?

Should I just set-up a small QT tank and take the fish out of my main display tank?

Fresh water dip?

Appreciate any and all suggestions.

[cl2ysta1]

it could just be them getting used to the anemone. or it could be black ich. if they are acting normally there is no need to react
they should be fine

[TOURKID]

do they swim near zoathids? that'll cause black spots too... much more common than black ick

my clowns got white sting marks from the anem when they were aclimating to it. looked pretty bad!!

[MarineFishGuy]

Our false percs also get the black spots.

From what I have read it appears to be stings from rubbing up against the corals.
Ours like to rub on the Frogspawn (even though we have a BTA). We have had the frogspawn since the beginning so they spend more time in it.

If you just added your Anem, it is likely sting marks as they adjust.
I would watch their breathing (make sure it is not labored) and see if they cat normally otherwise before attempting treatment.

There is also a parasite that can cause this (I forget the name), but it is not generally fatal and typically only affects one fish species.

Just my 0.02,
Ken

[Norm R]

Out of curiousity, for those of you that have or have had some with black spots...is it only on the orange part of their body or on the white also?

I have a pretty old pair that had no black spots for years, then had black spots for a couple years...and now just one has it. They look perfectly happy and healthy. In the case of mine, the spots are only on the orange parts of their body...it goes right up to the white stripes and stops. I would say it is natural coloration but I've seen it morph over time...and disappear on one.

[DrBCool]

I noticed a black spot on my female same as your Norm . It is one spot and it is only on the orange part . I did however see my Neon Goby try to get on the side of her and clean it , but she wouldn't let him . I noticed the spot two days ago and today no spot . So it either went away on it's own or maybe the neon goby finally convinved the clown to let it clean .. lol

[haggarse]

Sorry for the belated reply, late evening in the office.

TOURKID - They do swim near several zoas. In fact I just moved a large colony near their host toadstool.

Norm R - Spots are only on the orange as you mentioned but appear to have gone from black to more of a brown since yesterday. Possibly anemone stings but seems the white would also show stings (maybe the pigment or lack there of has something to do with this).

MarineFishGuy - Fish have been swimming/eating normally and don't appear exhausted when breathing. Going to hold off any treatment for a while and see how things go.

Thanks for all the feedback!