Black Spot on Male Clownfish

[zafink]

Hello! So I've had this pair of clownfish for a few months, and I just noticed this black spot the other week on my male clownfish. No change in behavior or eating habits... Is it anything I should worry about? Could it be a sting from my hammer coral? (I don't know what that would look like) Thanks for your help!

 

[MnFish1]

Hello! So I've had this pair of clownfish for a few months, and I just noticed this black spot the other week on my male clownfish. No change in behavior or eating habits... Is it anything I should worry about? Could it be a sting from my hammer coral? (I don't know what that would look like) Thanks for your help!

First a would ask a couple questions
1. How long have you had them
2. Were they quarantined
3. It might be the photo, but the fins look somewhat torn and ragged - is that normal - do they fight - or any other bullying?
4. The spot could be a healing wound, But it does not look like a 'sting'.

@fishguy242 @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal @nereefpat

 

[zafink]

1. I've had them for about 2 and a half months
2. They were not quarantined, but I bought them from a good source, pacific east aquaculture. (although I know this doesn't necessarily rule anything out)
3. That's just the way the fins are,. They're ora long fin clowns, and the only fish in my tank right now, so no fighting/bullying going on.

@MnFish1

 

[MnFish1]

1. I've had them for about 2 and a half months
2. They were not quarantined, but I bought them from a good source, pacific east aquaculture. (although I know this doesn't necessarily rule anything out)
3. That's just the way the fins are,. They're ora long fin clowns, and the only fish in my tank right now, so no fighting/bullying going on.

@MnFish1

Given that information - and if you noticed that the clown went into a coral - it could be from that!

PS - I still think the fins of the fish with the spot look 'off'. But - if it is not changing and is the way it came - all good. Clowns tend to fight eachother. If you look at the other clown - and it might just be the picture) - the dorsal fin of the one fish (and the others) seem different than the one with the spot.

 

[zafink]

Given that information - and if you noticed that the clown went into a coral - it could be from that!

PS - I still think the fins of the fish with the spot look 'off'. But - if it is not changing and is the way it came - all good. Clowns tend to fight eachother. If you look at the other clown - and it might just be the picture) - the dorsal fin of the one fish (and the others) seem different than the one with the spot.

Ok, thanks for the help! Much appreciated. I'll keep an eye on them, I didn't know that pairs would fight each other. Thanks again

 

[vetteguy53081]

Often this is caused by hypermelanization which is often caused by a coral-anemone-or hydroid sting. On the other hand, this is not uncommon to see especially on wild clowns and is black spots known as melanin deposition. It will sometime s go away but often remain.
Is it cause for concern- No. Maintain as always good water quality and diet,
Clowns often need more than what stores are suggesting to be pellets and flakes.
Offer:
LFS fish frenzy
spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
small plankton
Formula 1 flake and frozen

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ok, thanks for the help! Much appreciated. I'll keep an eye on them, I didn't know that pairs would fight each other. Thanks again

I also think it could be hypermelanization from a coral sting but it is in a slightly unusual location, where the longish pectoral fin would have protected it.
Since fish often have more than one problem at a time, you could post a short video and we might be able to tell more about its demeanor.
Jay