Is this black ich?

[Fishybusiness412]

Moby the high fin goby has been hiding for the past bit, but not abnormal behaviour. Until he came out for feeding the other day and I spotted a black dot underneath his eye. He popped his head out a couple times tonight and looking like he's gained another one on top of his head.

I know that black ich often happen on tangs. Please help ID so I can treat tank accordingly!

For obvious reasons, trying to get a good photo of him was difficult. I'll see if I can get better ones later.

 

[Lasse]

Be aware of the fact that black spots often is a reaction of earlier mechanical wounds. It is melanin that have been transported up to the wounded area as an antioxidant. It is not always a sign of an infectious disease - IME it is very uncommon with black spots as a sign of something infectious - especially in bottom and cave dwellers as the high fin goby. IMO most black discolouration in these fish is a result of some earlier mechanical damage.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hard to tell in pics but if so, try a freshwater dip.
Often it comes come an anemone sting

 

[Fishybusiness412]

Hey guys,

I'm back a month later because the spot under Moby's eye is still there. All fish have been eating and swimming along normally. But now there's a new black spot on my clown.

Suggestions?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think what @Lasse said is right on - melanin deposition as a reaction to an injury. "Black ich" is a turbellarian worm that lives under the skin of susceptible fishes - I've never seen it on a goby, and I *may* have seen it on a clownfish years ago. They call it "yellow tang disease" because that's the species you most often see it on. It is rarely fatal.

I don't see anything that needs to be treated on either fish....

Jay