Spots on clownfish

[JeffK]

Hello all.

I just recently moved a common clownfish that I've had since 1997 from my 55-gallon fish-only aquarium into my 75-gallon reef (established for two years). Approximately 1 week after the move, the fish began to exhibit black spots on its flanks. The spots almost appear to be pigment rather than fungus (though I may be way off base here).

The only other fish in the tank are the same ones that were kept with the clownfish before--a royal gramma, yellow-tailed damsel, and a yellow tang. I've had all of these fish for many years, living together, and none of the others shows similar symptoms.

Any thoughts as to what might be causing the spots? Perhaps contact with the stinging tentacles of a bubble coral? The clownfish is very active and feeding well otherwise.

Jeff

 

[liquid]

It might be black ich. Do a search on this board as I've seen some recent posts on the topic. Personally I've never had my fish infected with ich, so I guess I should consider myself lucky.

Shane

 

[sally1]

Jeff: I'll bet you have zooanthids in your tank? If that is the case, zooanthids will cause black spots on your clownfish. I have clowns that live in a big sarcopyhton that has zooanthids all around the base. The clowns got the black spots from the zooanthids. My clowns have had these spots for over 5 years now and are completely healthy. Do a search (on other BB's ) and you will find that this is fairly common with clowns and zooanthids.

 

[liquid]

Hrmmm...I've had clowns for close to 4 years now and I've had zoanthids in my tank for the entire time. I have not seen this phenomenon on any of them.

shnae

 

[Anonymous]

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34513&start=40

 

[JeffK]

Sally, the zoanthids must be the cause. I've got them by the bushel in my tank, and Matt_Wandell's photos confirm it. That's exactly how my clown looks. Should I stop worrying then?

Jeff

 

[Anonymous]

They're Dustin's photos, not mine.

Can you post pics? Maybe try removing the zoanthids, and see what happens?

 

[sally1]

In my opinion I would not worry a bit. No reason either to remove them (zooanthids). My clowns touch the zooanthids alot since they host in a coral that is right in the middle of a patch of zoo's. I've had my clowns for over 5 years and they are perfectly heathly, they have lots of black spots and they have had them for years. They are the only fish that have them and I attribute it to them touching zooanthids.

 

[Anonymous]

I certainly didn't mean to remove them for the clown's safety, maybe just put them in another tank or in a refugium or sump for a few weeks. It would just be out of curiousity, I don't think they are hurting the clowns at all.

 

[liquid]

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