black mark on clownfish

[mizimmer90]

I got a new clownfish in my tank last week and I've been noticing a black spot that I think is growing on its belly. See picture below (best I could do as this little guy is always swimming around).

Tank params are all pretty reasonable:

Temp - 78 F
pH - 8.15
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrites - 0 ppm
Nitrates - 3 ppm
Phosphates - 0.05 ppm

It is eating and swimming well and there is no labored breathing. I do think he might look a little skinny though...

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[mizimmer90]

Trying to get a video of its side

 

[Sharkbait19]

Any stinging corals on the tank?
@Jay Hemdal - any chance this is related to the marks on clownfish that have been popping up. There are those holes in the first bar.

 

[mizimmer90]

Any stinging corals on the tank?
@Jay Hemdal - any chance this is related to the marks on clownfish that have been popping up. There are those holes in the first bar.

I have a tiny cristata torch that I got around the same time. Never seen the clown go near it but maybe it tried in the night?

The spot looks like it's getting bigger though.

What's the significance of the holes?

 

[mizimmer90]

I'm also concerned with how skinny he looks, even though he eats like crazy! Parasites?

 

[Sharkbait19]

I have a tiny cristata torch that I got around the same time. Never seen the clown go near it but maybe it tried in the night?

The spot looks like it's getting bigger though.

What's the significance of the holes?

The thing is we aren’t really sure what the holes are about.
It doesn’t look like a sting by the black mark but may be a possibility. If it’s growing I doubt it is.
The clown does look thin, but eating like a pig generally is a sign against parasites. How much is it getting? What are you feeding? Any fish being aggressive to it?

 

[mizimmer90]

The thing is we aren’t really sure what the holes are about.
It doesn’t look like a sting by the black mark but may be a possibility. If it’s growing I doubt it is.
The clown does look thin, but eating like a pig generally is a sign against parasites. How much is it getting? What are you feeding? Any fish being aggressive to it?

Interesting, I take it others are seeing something similar with black spots and holes? It's also got holes on the other side at the same spot.

I only have one other clownfish in the tank with it and they seem to be best buddies. I got them at the same time and they seem quite paired with eachother.

As far as feeding I feed new life spectrum pellets twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. A lot goes to waste but they each seem to get 3-5 pellets at each feeding session. Every other evening I dump some frozen shrimp in the tank and they go to town on it!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Any stinging corals on the tank?
@Jay Hemdal - any chance this is related to the marks on clownfish that have been popping up. There are those holes in the first bar.

I don’t think the lesion at the anus of the fish is that. The marks on the head is mild HLLE, I see that in clowns once in awhile.
The lesion at the back of the fish looks internal, but I don’t know what might have caused that.
Jay

 

[Sharkbait19]

Interesting, I take it others are seeing something similar with black spots and holes? It's also got holes on the other side at the same spot.

I only have one other clownfish in the tank with it and they seem to be best buddies. I got them at the same time and they seem quite paired with eachother.

As far as feeding I feed new life spectrum pellets twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. A lot goes to waste but they each seem to get 3-5 pellets at each feeding session. Every other evening I dump some frozen shrimp in the tank and they go to town on it!

Try upping the feeding - the other clown may be stealing some food.

 

[mizimmer90]

I don’t think the lesion at the anus of the fish is that. The marks on the head is mild HLLE, I see that in clowns once in awhile.
The lesion at the back of the fish looks internal, but I don’t know what might have caused that.
Jay

Thanks for the reply! Looking at the fish in person, I definitely agree the lesion appears internal.

Just for clarification, is this something I should be concerned about or are there things to look out for? There aren't obvious signs of distress (like lethargy or labored breathing) but I want to be proactive to prevent anything from going critical.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the reply! Looking at the fish in person, I definitely agree the lesion appears internal.

Just for clarification, is this something I should be concerned about or are there things to look out for? There aren't obvious signs of distress (like lethargy or labored breathing) but I want to be proactive to prevent anything from going critical.

Internal issues are notoriously difficult to treat - getting medication to the spot isn't possible and then, it is difficult to even know what caused the issue - bacteria, a bruise, protozoan?

All I can offer is to give the fish supportive care - good food in proper amounts, peaceful tankmates and good water quality....

Jay