Possible clownfish disease question

fast94m · 04/15/2007, 04:36 PM

I've had a pair of clowns for about a year now and i've noticed a development of black spots on their bodies. The spots are rather large in proportion to their bodies so im not so sure its black ich. How can i tell? It doesn't look like sand grains or salt grains on their body but rather spots on the inside that i've heard of being age spots. Anybody have any experience with this? Any suggestions or what to do or should i just leave them be? They both eat fine and swim around actively in their spots in the tank.

thanks in advance

Hattie B · 04/16/2007, 01:48 PM

Your guys might be experiencing Melanism.

Its when the skin on clowns (or fish) darken, its the actual pigment darkening when its stung by a coral it either hosts in or touches.

If this is what they have it is harmless, its just their skin darkening.

HB

andrewsmart · 04/16/2007, 01:55 PM

without a picture it is hard to say but i would be stunned if hattie is not right.

you see this quite alot on clowns and it pops up in here quite often.

04/15/2007, 04:36 PM	#1
fast94m Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bucks County Posts: 314	Possible clownfish disease question I've had a pair of clowns for about a year now and i've noticed a development of black spots on their bodies. The spots are rather large in proportion to their bodies so im not so sure its black ich. How can i tell? It doesn't look like sand grains or salt grains on their body but rather spots on the inside that i've heard of being age spots. Anybody have any experience with this? Any suggestions or what to do or should i just leave them be? They both eat fine and swim around actively in their spots in the tank. thanks in advance

04/16/2007, 01:48 PM	#2
Hattie B Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: California Posts: 738	Your guys might be experiencing Melanism. Its when the skin on clowns (or fish) darken, its the actual pigment darkening when its stung by a coral it either hosts in or touches. If this is what they have it is harmless, its just their skin darkening. HB __________________ I'm growing older but not up... A person can solve a lot of problems by FIRST using a QT tank.. QT all new fish. I like softies =) Current Tank Info: 75gal and 50gal rimless :)

04/16/2007, 01:55 PM	#3
andrewsmart Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: glasgow, scotland Posts: 369	without a picture it is hard to say but i would be stunned if hattie is not right. you see this quite alot on clowns and it pops up in here quite often. __________________ I remember my prom. my girlfriend wore a metallic purple, black lace, beaded number that was straples she was a Purple Beast. I was terrified her D-sized boobies were going to pop out and attack me. Current Tank Info: FOWLR