New clownfish gets white spot

[ThomasNanoReefer]

Hi,

About three months ago I bought a new small clownfish online for my single female clownfish (her partner died more than a year ago). When it arrived it looked a bit dull due to a light slimy coat. I was a bit worried but it seemed to diminish over time and the fish was always very active and eating normally. Last week I noticed that its tail was damaged. I assumed it got bitten by the female clownfish (they are not fully bonded yet, as they rarely sleep together). I have a nano and the clownfish are the only fish (I do have a porcelain crab, 3 sexy shrimp and 2 small hermit crabs). Today I noticed a white spot, just above its eye... Is this something to be worried about and requires attention?

Regards,
Thomas

PS: in order to get the photographs I gave them cyclops, so the white spot on the eye is the only spot on the fish itself.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi,

About three months ago I bought a new small clownfish online for my single female clownfish (her partner died more than a year ago). When it arrived it looked a bit dull due to a light slimy coat. I was a bit worried but it seemed to diminish over time and the fish was always very active and eating normally. Last week I noticed that its tail was damaged. I assumed it got bitten by the female clownfish (they are not fully bonded yet, as they rarely sleep together). I have a nano and the clownfish are the only fish (I do have a porcelain crab, 3 sexy shrimp and 2 small hermit crabs). Today I noticed a white spot, just above its eye... Is this something to be worried about and requires attention?

Regards,
Thomas

PS: in order to get the photographs I gave them cyclops, so the white spot on the eye is the only spot on the fish itself.

The amount of slime on the body suggest brooklynella and often affects wild caught vlowns
Fish will have to be treated in a separate quarantine tank with ruby rally pro or formalin based med which is harder to come by
A 60 minute ruby rally bath would be a good start
For temporary relief, you can give the fish a 5 minute freshwater dip, same temperature as display tank until you acquire meds
What other fish are in the tank with it?
Tail may be from aggression

 

[ThomasNanoReefer]

Thanks for your reply! There is one other clownfish (older female) in the tank, no other fish. I was suspecting her, but now that the white spot appeared I was not sure any more... I will look into brooklynella and quarantine time.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi,

About three months ago I bought a new small clownfish online for my single female clownfish (her partner died more than a year ago). When it arrived it looked a bit dull due to a light slimy coat. I was a bit worried but it seemed to diminish over time and the fish was always very active and eating normally. Last week I noticed that its tail was damaged. I assumed it got bitten by the female clownfish (they are not fully bonded yet, as they rarely sleep together). I have a nano and the clownfish are the only fish (I do have a porcelain crab, 3 sexy shrimp and 2 small hermit crabs). Today I noticed a white spot, just above its eye... Is this something to be worried about and requires attention?

Regards,
Thomas

PS: in order to get the photographs I gave them cyclops, so the white spot on the eye is the only spot on the fish itself.

I don’t see Brooklynella here, more likely damage due to fighting, that tail damage is pretty severe.
I find that diagnosing brooklynella is more easily done through video, it makes the fish swim differently.
I think either way, you’ll need to separate these two fish, at least temporarily.

 

[ThomasNanoReefer]

Thanks for your reply. I have attached a video. As regards the tail, the strange thing is that during the three months the new fish is in the tank, I have not observed any aggression between the two fish. They do hang out together sometimes, but they rarely sleep together. I also do not have a powerhead, just the return pump with random flow generators. Another suspect might be the porcelain crab as they often share the same anemone.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for your reply. I have attached a video. As regards the tail, the strange thing is that during the three months the new fish is in the tank, I have not observed any aggression between the two fish. They do hang out together sometimes, but they rarely sleep together. I also do not have a powerhead, just the return pump with random flow generators. Another suspect might be the porcelain crab as they often share the same anemone.

I don't see any evidence of Brooklynella in the way the clownfish are swimming.