Black spots on clownfish

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

I have had my clownfish for about 3 months. Soon after he was added to my tank, I started to notice these little black spots on his body. He has never had more than 2-3 at a time, but the weird thing is that they seem to appear on one part of his body, disappear, then reappear somewhere else a little bit later. Although he has never shown any signs that he is sick (always eating, actively swimming, responds to me when I stand in front of the tank), I have just been curious what these could be. I have done some research on it and the only two possibilities I could find are Black Ich or sting wounds from a coral. I ruled out sting wounds because I only have soft corals in my tank and I don’t think they would be strong enough to leave a mark. I don’t really think it’s black Ich either because none of my other fish have been affected by at (at least that I can see). Also, I should mention that within the past week, I noticed 2 ich spots on my bengaii cardinal and my Midas blenny started to scratch up on rocks and bite at his tail. I started dosing Ruby Reef Kick-Ich 4 days ago. Anyway, back to the black spots. Any ideas on what it could be? The only thing that I thought it could be would be wounds from my Midas blenny who every now and then chases after him with his mouth open and has torn a couple fins in the past.

HotRocks · Feb 13, 2018

Hard to tell from that pic. Spots look a little too big to be black ich. Black ich would look like little specs. @4FordFamily may be able to help.

4FordFamily · Feb 13, 2018

Looks like hypermelanization to me (often a coral sting leads to this). I know you said nothing in there can sting but IMO something is stinging it.

I agree, not Black Ich, IMO

nautical_nathaniel · Feb 13, 2018

+1 on hypermelanization

Humblefish · Feb 13, 2018

The Midas Blenny biting him is an interesting theory, as they do have fangs. Fortunately their venom seems to not be nearly as potent as most of the "true" fanged blennies.

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

Now I am even more confused because I have no idea what could possibly be stinging him haha. Thank you everyone, I appreciate your input. I’ll keep a closer eye on him and see if I can find a coral that is bothering him.

4FordFamily · Feb 13, 2018

Austin Weinerman said:
Now I am even more confused because I have no idea what could possibly be stinging him haha. Thank you everyone, I appreciate your input. I’ll keep a closer eye on him and see if I can find a coral that is bothering him.

Any majano or aiptasia anemones?

Texas Reefer · Feb 13, 2018

My clown got black spots from my zoas.

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

4FordFamily said:
Any majano or aiptasia anemones?

No majano, I have had aiptasia pop up a couple times in the past but my peppermint shrimp ate them before they got too big. I do have hydroids though. I didn’t think they were strong enough to leave these marks but I guess it’s a possibility?

Big G · Feb 13, 2018

Some types of hydroids can sting hard enough to leave marks on your hands and require gloves during handling. Hydroids - Candelabrum spp(Digitate Hydroids) for example.

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

Texas Reefer said:
My clown got black spots from my zoas.

Really? I didn’t know their stings were strong enough to do that. I have 3 small colonies of zoas so I guess that is a possibility too.

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

Big G said:
Some types of hydroids can sting hard enough to leave marks on your hands and require gloves during handling.

I actually always use gloves when I stick my hands in my tank haha so I’m not sure if the ones I have could leave marks.

Sully32 · Feb 13, 2018

Definitely hypermelanization. Those green mushrooms in your picture can even do it. I've had clowns be stung by hairy shrooms.

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

Sully32 said:
Definitely hypermelanization. Those green mushrooms in your picture can even do it. I've had clowns be stung by hairy shrooms.

Woah that’s crazy. Hypermelanization must be pretty common right? If even these mushrooms can cause it I’m sure it happens in most tanks.

Sully32 · Feb 13, 2018

I think it is fairly common. It is generally nothing to worry about. There are a few cases I've seen where the clowns get stung in the mouth and they get a sort of lock jaw situation though.

Austin Weinerman · Feb 13, 2018

Sully32 said:
I think it is fairly common. It is generally nothing to worry about. There are a few cases I've seen where the clowns get stung in the mouth and they get a sort of lock jaw situation though.

Good to know, I’ll keep an eye on him and make sure he’s staying healthy. As of now he is always eager to eat and is constantly swimming around. Thanks again to everyone who helped me figure out what this is. I really appreciate it!

guts11 · Feb 13, 2018

Black spots appeared on my clown today as well. My tank is FOWLR. 15 gallon with 2 clowns I have had since October and a gramma for two weeks. Are your spots like mine. I am not sure what treatment I am going to do.

Texas Reefer · Feb 13, 2018

guts11 said:
Black spots appeared on my clown today as well. My tank is FOWLR. 15 gallon with 2 clowns I have had since October and a gramma for two weeks. Are your spots like mine. I am not sure what treatment I am going to do.

@Humblefish. No, I don't believe those are the same.