My clown has dark spots?

[Newreefer1]

My clown has dark spots, which he just got recently. The only thing I can think it might be is some sort of fungus. I had a little bit of red slime in my tank, but I cleaned it out. But when I was cleaning the slime my fish was eating at the little bits of red slime floating around the tank. Any advice or comments? All wtaer parameters are perfect now. I think I was overfeeding a little bit before.

 

[Anonymous]

They're called melanisms, most likely perfectly normal, though what are your water parameters as it could also be from stress.

mario

 

[Newreefer1]

Melanisms, evolution in action? I thought some sort of fungus from the red slime would be more of a logical explanation. It's not like he just developed spots over night to be used as camouflage, hehe. Don't get me wrong, I believe an evolution. I don't want to open that can of worms either.

But you might be on to something with the stress factor. All water parameters are perfect, but I think the clown and the royal gramma could both be a little stressed from sharing a 12 gallon nanocube. I know - I know, they both need more space. But this is only temporary.

 

[Anonymous]

Melanisms, evolution in action? I thought some sort of fungus from the red slime would be more of a logical explanation. It's not like he just developed spots over night to be used as camouflage, hehe. Don't get me wrong, I believe an evolution. I don't want to open that can of worms either.

But you might be on to something with the stress factor. All water parameters are perfect, but I think the clown and the royal gramma could both be a little stressed from sharing a 12 gallon nanocube. I know - I know, they both need more space. But this is only temporary.

fungus from bacteria isn't that logical :wink:

what, exactly, do the spots look like ?

 

[Newreefer1]

Dark brown, like flat moles. He was perfect now he is flawed, hehe. I guess I answered my own question with the fungus. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

 

[Newreefer1]

So how do I get rid of the spots?

 

[Newreefer1]

What medication do I use? and Is it reef safe?

 

[Anonymous]

why do you assume this is a disease,and that the fish will benefit from a medication ?

 

[Anonymous]

Melanisms are skin pigment and cannot be removed. If they do not have a stinging host then sometimes the spots fade in my experience.

 

[Jolieve]

I've seen the same thing with my clowns. From time to time they will get dark spots on their skin that fade away in a week or so. No harm done fish are fine.

J.

 

[Newreefer1]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Tanaka (my clown) has had his spots for 3weeks now, but they are multiplying not fading. Before the outbreak of spots he was flawless and beautiful. I seen my royal gramma bite him on his face and not let go until I tapped on the glass. I think they are fighting over territory and seem to be more aggressive at feeding time. There seem to be too many spots to be flesh wounds, though. I need to seperate them and medicate if needed.

 

[ChrisRD]

Do you have any zoanthids in this tank?

 

[Newreefer1]

Ah-ha! Very good ChrisRD, I just added orange Zoo's to my tank (about 3 weeks ago). The lfs said they were button polups, but they look like Zoo's to me, or are they 1 in the same. Anyhow I think I know where you going with this. I remember seeing something about Zoo's having bacteria on them or something, right?

 

[ChrisRD]

I'm not sure what the mechanism is behind it, but touching zoanthids can cause dark (usually black) dots on some clowns. I've never heard a report of this being harmful, and personally, I wouldn't worry about it.