Black spots on clownfish

[sarahda]

Hi I was hoping someone would be able to tell me if these spots are black ich? I noticed a few black spots when I got him in December but all of a sudden they are all over. I just had a fluke outbreak in my tank and they are doing fine after 2 rounds of prazi pro but is there an ich outbreak too? The corals in my tank are zoanthids, mushrooms, clove polyps, Favia, and a hammer coral but I’ve never seen my clownfish go near them or try to host them. The other fish in the tank is a neon goby.

 

[sarahda]

Hi I was hoping someone would be able to tell me if these spots are black ich? I noticed a few black spots when I got him in December but all of a sudden they are all over. I just had a fluke outbreak in my tank and they are doing fine after 2 rounds of prazi pro but is there an ich outbreak too? The corals in my tank are zoanthids, mushrooms, clove polyps, Favia, and a hammer coral but I’ve never seen my clownfish go near them or try to host them. The other fish in the tank is a neon goby.

 

[sarahda]

Here are photos of him

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That isn't the turbellarian (black ich). The spots are too large, diffuse colored and flat. That is melanin that fish develop in their skin as a reaction to some irritation. The most likely culprit in your hammer coral...it may have tried hosting in it when you weren't watching. Since you've already dosed with Prazi, the other possible culprits are pretty much ruled out. I presume the fish is acting fine and eating? If so, I would just observe it for now.

Jay

 

[sarahda]

That isn't the turbellarian (black ich). The spots are too large, diffuse colored and flat. That is melanin that fish develop in their skin as a reaction to some irritation. The most likely culprit in your hammer coral...it may have tried hosting in it when you weren't watching. Since you've already dosed with Prazi, the other possible culprits are pretty much ruled out. I presume the fish is acting fine and eating? If so, I would just observe it for now.

Jay

Thank you for your response! Yeah he’s behaving and eating totally normal the dots are also weirdly in a pattern which also makes me think he may have been secretly trying to host one of my coral.

 

[Cwentz758]

Going to bring this one back out. I also now have clowns with black spots. No corals in the tank that can sting. Also haven’t added a fish in over a year.

these spots are only on the clowns. No other fish. Spots are under the skin and small similar to above.

Clowns are 5 years old and act and eat normal.

 

[Ryde]

That isn't the turbellarian (black ich). The spots are too large, diffuse colored and flat. That is melanin that fish develop in their skin as a reaction to some irritation. The most likely culprit in your hammer coral...it may have tried hosting in it when you weren't watching. Since you've already dosed with Prazi, the other possible culprits are pretty much ruled out. I presume the fish is acting fine and eating? If so, I would just observe it for now.

Jay

+1 my clowns are in my torch and have the same dots.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Going to bring this one back out. I also now have clowns with black spots. No corals in the tank that can sting. Also haven’t added a fish in over a year.

these spots are only on the clowns. No other fish. Spots are under the skin and small similar to above.

Clowns are 5 years old and act and eat normal.

Can you post some clear pictures taken under white light?

Jay