Clownfish with black spots all over

[Reef Boi Rich]

My clownfish started getting black spots all over their body starting about 1-2 months ago. Any idea what this is and any action needed? They rub their bodies against the sand pretty often especially at night. I have an anemone but they never go near it. No other fish has these spots and they all seem healthy. The clownfish look healthy too and are eating plenty

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My clownfish started getting black spots all over their body starting about 1-2 months ago. Any idea what this is and any action needed? They rub their bodies against the sand pretty often especially at night. I have an anemone but they never go near it. No other fish has these spots and they all seem healthy. The clownfish look healthy too and are eating plenty

Black spots on clownfish are pretty common. The general consensus is that if they brush up against LPS, some corals will sting them. In turn, the fish's skin develops melanin as a reaction to that, and black spots are a result. There is also a worm, called a turbellarian, that will cause black spots on fish. Clownfish sometimes get that, but it usually isn't fatal for them. Treating that would require a treatment tank and formalin, although some people have seen temporary relief using a FW dip.

Jay

 

[haileymw]

Black spots on clownfish are pretty common. The general consensus is that if they brush up against LPS, some corals will sting them. In turn, the fish's skin develops melanin as a reaction to that, and black spots are a result. There is also a worm, called a turbellarian, that will cause black spots on fish. Clownfish sometimes get that, but it usually isn't fatal for them. Treating that would require a treatment tank and formalin, although some people have seen temporary relief using a FW dip.

Jay

I recently got a candy cane coral, and ever since my clown has these small pencil dot sized black dots on him, would you say this is also from being stung or something I should be worried about?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I recently got a candy cane coral, and ever since my clown has these small pencil dot sized black dots on him, would you say this is also from being stung or something I should be worried about?

Those spots seem too large and diffuse to be turbellarian worms (black ich). They do look more like coral stings. I don't know if candy cane corals cause that though. Is the clown showing any other symptoms?

Jay

 

[haileymw]

Those spots seem too large and diffuse to be turbellarian worms (black ich). They do look more like coral stings. I don't know if candy cane corals cause that though. Is the clown showing any other symptoms?

Jay

No other symptoms it eats great swims with ease! I also have a frogspawn, a Duncan, mushrooms and zoas if that helps any. My water parameters are great. I just notice when the candy cane has its ‘stingers’ out and she swims over them she’s jolted away. So I was sure it was stinging her but she’ll try to host my Duncan and frogspawn and they don’t bother her at all. Thank you for getting back with me!