Damsel Face is black

[dalelew123]

Just noticed that one side of my blue damsels face is black. I’ve had him for about a year. He is swimming as normal and is still eating. Any thoughts?

 

[cdemoss01]

Just noticed that one side of my blue damsels face is black. I’ve had him for about a year. He is swimming as normal and is still eating. Any thoughts?

Could just be a weird color change. Or it is a sickness @vetteguy53081 #fishdoctor

 

[kevgib67]

Injury? Another fish or swimming into the rocks?

 

[Lemons]

Hypermelaninization?

 

[Lemons]

Any stinging corals?/nems?

 

[dalelew123]

Any stinging corals?/nems?

Several euphullia and I just added a small bubble tip.

 

[dalelew123]

Injury? Another fish or swimming into the rocks?

He is aggressive. Often my foxface will chase him because he won’t leave him alone.

 

[Lemons]

Hmm odd! My guess is just a weird colour morph... no diseases to my knowledge change the pigment to black.

Well hypermelaninization, but thats just a condition then a disease LOL

 

[MnFish1]

Did this just occur overnight? or was it slowly worsening? How long have you had the fish? It certainly could be from a sting. A picture under white light would be helpful. Also - any other symptoms - and have you added anything new to the tank

 

[Sharkbait19]

If I’m not mistaken, this is the type of thing that can happen after a severe injury - is it acting off at all?

 

[MnFish1]

PS - as others have said - it looks like hypermelaninization - however a disease process could also cause this.

For the rest of the readers, #fishmedic is the hashtag to use if you need fish medical help!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Can you post a picture or video under white lights?

Jay

 

[dalelew123]

Can you post a picture or video under white lights?

Jay

 

[dalelew123]

If I’m not mistaken, this is the type of thing that can happen after a severe injury - is it acting off at all?

Acting completely normal. I just fed him and he was eating as usual.

 

[dalelew123]

Did this just occur overnight? or was it slowly worsening? How long have you had the fish? It certainly could be from a sting. A picture under white light would be helpful. Also - any other symptoms - and have you added anything new to the tank

Just noticed it today. I’ve had the fish for about a year. Just added a new hammer coral, bubble tip, and a few pitho crabs to help fight bubble algae.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Acting completely normal. I just fed him and he was eating as usual.

I've not seen this in damselfish, but that sort of hypermelanization is pretty common in some African cichlids - seems in them to be some neurological issue, but not usually fatal. Sorry - I don't have any treatment for that though.

Jay

 

[MnFish1]

This is a perfect reason why a picture under white light is so helpful. thanks for doing that. To me - its is a sting/injury from the new coral - only because it came on overnight. I also concur with Jay - that I don't know of any treatment.

 

[MnFish1]

I've not seen this in damselfish, but that sort of hypermelanization is pretty common in some African cichlids - seems in them to be some neurological issue, but not usually fatal. Sorry - I don't have any treatment for that though.

Jay

Jay - have you ever seen this during a fluke infection - i.e. irritation causing the melanin issue?

 

[dalelew123]

I've not seen this in damselfish, but that sort of hypermelanization is pretty common in some African cichlids - seems in them to be some neurological issue, but not usually fatal. Sorry - I don't have any treatment for that though.

Jay

Thank you

 

[dalelew123]

This is a perfect reason why a picture under white light is so helpful. thanks for doing that. To me - its is a sting/injury from the new coral - only because it came on overnight. I also concur with Jay - that I don't know of any treatment.

Thank you