"Blemish" on Clownfish

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Hi all,

I recently noticed a small patch of lighter color on one of my new clowns. I don't have pictures at the moment, but it's not a raised area or anything, just discolored. No bumps or other symptoms, it almost looks like a birth defect. Is this something I should be worried about?

Thanks

Jay Hemdal · Oct 26, 2020

A picture would really help- try to get one under white light, not blue. If the spot just showed up, it is unlikely to be from a birth defect, and if you are seeing it on just one side of the fish, it is less likely to be normal. Still, it may just be a minor scrape. Is the fish eating well and holding its fins erect?
Jay

CrazyCrab · Oct 26, 2020

Could be anything no telling without a pic. Get ready with focus and metro!

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
A picture would really help- try to get one under white light, not blue. If the spot just showed up, it is unlikely to be from a birth defect, and if you are seeing it on just one side of the fish, it is less likely to be normal. Still, it may just be a minor scrape. Is the fish eating well and holding its fins erect?
Jay

Thank you! The patch probably didn't just show up, I just got the new pair yesterday. I don't recall if it was like that at the store. It is only on one side and doesn't appear to be red at all. I will post pictures once I get home. They are both definitely eating well and swimming normally.

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

CrazyCrab said:
Could be anything no telling without a pic. Get ready with focus and metro!

I will try to get a pic soon! I do have metro on hand, but I don't think it looks like uronema, if that's what you're saying. The area is a lot lighter than it's surroundings, not darker.

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

I've attached a bunch of pictures. To my understanding, this isn't uronema because it's not red and there are no raised scales, which is the only "patchy" disease I know. @Jay Hemdal ? Thank you to everyone in advance!

Jay Hemdal · Oct 26, 2020

Eric1493 said:
I've attached a bunch of pictures. To my understanding, this isn't uronema because it's not red and there are no raised scales, which is the only "patchy" disease I know. @Jay Hemdal ? Thank you to everyone in advance!

Correct, that does not look like Uronema. Little "bumps and scrapes" I tend to ignore, but this one is kind of on the borderline of being concerning, size-wise. If it grows in size, or spreads to a new area, you should consider dosing with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic. You might want to get your ducks in a row - have the meds on hand, etc. because you never know, if you don't need them this time, perhaps the next...

Jay

Mike from TN · Oct 26, 2020

Just a shot in the dark but could it possibly be a heater burn? From the pix, it kinda looks like their trying to “cozy” up to your heater. Clowns DO do some pretty weird stuff!

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Jay Hemdal said:
Correct, that does not look like Uronema. Little "bumps and scrapes" I tend to ignore, but this one is kind of on the borderline of being concerning, size-wise. If it grows in size, or spreads to a new area, you should consider dosing with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic. You might want to get your ducks in a row - have the meds on hand, etc. because you never know, if you don't need them this time, perhaps the next...

Jay

Gotcha, thanks! I'll try to get some antibiotics tomorrow. Thank you again!

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Mike from TN said:
Just a shot in the dark but could it possibly be a heater burn? From the pix, it kinda looks like their trying to “cozy” up to your heater. Clowns DO do some pretty weird stuff!

Yes, they seem to like the heater lol. It certainly could be a heater burn, but they weren't like this when I put them in the tank, so I don't really have a way of knowing. If it was a heater burn, would it be lighter than its surroundings?

Mike from TN · Oct 26, 2020

Eric1493 said:
Yes, they seem to like the heater lol. It certainly could be a heater burn, but they weren't like this when I put them in the tank, so I don't really have a way of knowing. If it was a heater burn, would it be lighter than its surroundings?

Not really sure as I’ve never seen a burn on a fish. Just seems like they are spending a lot of time there, unless you rapid fired the pictures. My Clowns have a “thing” for the Mag Float.

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Mike from TN said:
Not really sure as I’ve never seen a burn on a fish. Just seems like they are spending a lot of time there, unless you rapid fired the pictures. My Clowns have a “thing” for the Mag Float.

oh they definitely have a “thing” for the heater. I’ll be sure to pay more attention to it. Thank you!

Mike from TN · Oct 26, 2020

Maybe check into getting a cage for the heater. I know that some heaters come with them but you can also buy them separately.

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Mike from TN said:
Maybe check into getting a cage for the heater. I know that some heaters come with them but you can also buy them separately.

Dang, I've never seen one before. I'll definitely check it out, hopefully, it fits the eheim jager heaters. Thanks!

Mike from TN · Oct 26, 2020

Even if it turns out NOT to be a burn, it might make sense because they hang out there.

vetteguy53081 · Oct 26, 2020

very unusual how theyre hanging around heater. . which makes it a suspect

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

Mike from TN said:
Even if it turns out NOT to be a burn, it might make sense because they hang out there.

That's true. I think I'll pick one up as a preventative.

Eric1493 · Oct 26, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
very unusual how theyre hanging around heater. . which makes it a suspect

Definitely. The only thing is that the room is about the same temp as the tank, and the heater rarely turns on. They would have to be caught by surprise or sleeping if it was the heater, which is very possible.