Black ball hanging off clownfish gill

Gatoreefer94 · Jun 6, 2020

I’ve had this clown for over a year now and I woke up this morning to a black ball/sack hanging off her gills. Lately she’s been more recluse then usual but I didn’t think anything of it. I can’t seem to find anyone with something similar online Can anyone please help me identify this.

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fishguy242 · Jun 6, 2020

wow ,have never seen before ,appears to be a cyst/leech of some sort ?? this is a need for #reefsquad ...following best wishes

T-J · Jun 6, 2020

Found this thread on something similar. Not sure if it's the same thing.

Clown fish with sack behind gills???

I just noticed a “sack” behind the right gill on my female clownfish. She is staying closer to her spot in the tank. I have had her for 5 years and she just laid eggs a week ago. No new fish added, all other fish are acting normal. I don’t see any parasite looking things. Anybody have any ideas?

www.reef2reef.com

Gatoreefer94 · Jun 6, 2020

Thanks for the link, his story sounds similar to mine in the attitude of the clown leading up to this , also my clown does love messing with my Duncan’s.. I’m hoping it’s not lymphocytes the clown doesn’t have any mucus on her.

fishguy242 · Jun 6, 2020

it is black? appears in pic red??

Gatoreefer94 · Jun 6, 2020

fishguy242 said:
it is black? appears in pic red??

Good call! I’m red blue color blind so I turned on the white only lights and the growth is a red color . *Updated photo *

fishguy242 · Jun 6, 2020

hi, @Peace River any ideas who to call?? ghostbusters aren't answering ..thanks

fishguy242 · Jun 6, 2020

i sent a pic to a breeder friend, educated guess a blood clot?? best i can do,good luck and following

Gatoreefer94 · Jun 6, 2020

@fishguy242 Thanks boss, I’ll keep this post updated if anything crazy happens

Peace River · Jun 6, 2020

I looks like some type of gill abscess.

@HotRocks @Big G @4FordFamily #reefsquad

F i s h y · Jun 6, 2020

I was also thinking a blood clot, hematoma, or abscess in the gill.

4FordFamily · Jun 6, 2020

It looks like an abscess to me. I would just monitor and keep water clean and ensure fish eats a healthy variety of foods...

Halal Hotdog · Jun 7, 2020

I have seen quite a few hematomas in people but not fish. Looks like a pretty classic hematoma. Typically we monitor and usually self resolves in 3 months. Not sure if fish respond the same way.

Gatoreefer94 · Jun 8, 2020

Update: The next day after the post the red bubble/ sack fell off while I was out running errands, looked around the tank and couldn’t find it anywhere so I could not examine it more. I did however noticed the fish is more lively (probably because it can breath easier now !) but it had a white dot under his gill where the red thing was attached. With no qt tank available I decided to hold off on any medicine and see how my friend looks in the morning since she was more active and eating well.The next morning I woke up and there was no white speck anywhere on the gill and she was having fun swimming around the tank. I don’t think this probably will go away , but for now it looks like it seems to have worked itself out. That being said thank you to everyone who posted a reply with ANY information and insight, it was very well received and the community’s quick responses helped a young noob reefer be little less worried. I’ll post updates in the future if anything arises from this. Here is a current photo in case anyone is curious.

-Gatoreefer94