|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2006 4:57:31 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
|
|
I have seen dark areas on my clown. It has been in my 60G reef tank for 1 1/2 years. Water parameters are all good and stable. I perform 10% water changes weekly and have not had any problems until now. I have looked for pictures on other forums but haven't seen anything quite like this. It was suggested at the LFS that it was black ich but these spots or areas are much bigger that small black dots. Only recent change has been a new samll Regal Tang that was introduced a couple of weeks ago. I have attached a reasonably clear photo. I would apprciate any feedback.
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/17/2008 10:22:27 AM
Posts: 164,
Visits: 684
|
|
| Hello, I think I spoke with you earlier today about your fish... from the looks of that picture it may just be that your clown is changing colors and the black is becoming more pronounced.
Eugene
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2006 4:57:31 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
|
|
| I hope you're correct, but I have a small Goby that isn't doing well tonight. It's in the back of the tank so I can't get a picture of it. It appears to have a black spot at the bottom of it's dorsel. Also, does it appear to you that there are small black dots on the tang or I'm I getting paranoid?
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/24/2008 3:59:47 PM
Posts: 566,
Visits: 4,173
|
|
Is the clown hosting anything? Especially recently?
Don't count your gobies before they've metamorphosized.
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2006 4:57:31 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
|
|
| The picture is of the female clown. She and her mate are living within a rose anemone that has also been in the tank for almost 2 years. The have been fine up until the last few days.
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/12/2006 3:52:01 PM
Posts: 13,
Visits: 141
|
|
If hosting in anemones or corals, the clown will often react to the stings of the animal it's hosting in resulting in what's called "melanism". It's generally of no concern as long as the fish has a healthy diet otherwise. Nutrition can sometimes play a role in this type of discoloration but more commonly it will be a chemical reaction to the host.
Cheers
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
Posts: 4,371,
Visits: 7,067
|
|
| Reefbiker, First off - Welcome! After looking at the picture, I agree it is does not appear to be black ich or a fungus. My first thought was melanism as Nicole & Steve suggested. When you say the "goby isn't doing well" - what exactly are its symptoms? But in light of the fact that you are now suspecting spots on the tang and goby, one has to wonder if this is coincidence or a bacterial infection or another pathogen. The only change to this tank was the introduction of the small regal tang a couple weeks ago. Did you quarantine this tang before introduction into the display system? Can you post pics of the goby & tang?
Kelly
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/11/2006 4:57:31 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 8
|
|
Hi Kelly,
The tang was at the LFS and being kept in water that had come copper in it and the fish looked very healthy and was eating well so I did not quarantine it. Here is a picture that I took last night. The Goby is know where to be seen, although he seems to go into it's hole a lot of the time but I haven't seen it today.
John
|
|
|
|
|
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 10/7/2008 12:38:12 PM
Posts: 4,371,
Visits: 7,067
|
|
| John, Are those dark spots/areas on the tang new? I am not convinced that the tang was not harboring or carrying a pathogen. You mentioned that the LFS had it in a system with some copper. Most LFS do not dose copper appropriately. Was there substrate in the system? Substrate absorbs/leaches copper so obtaining a therapeutic level is impossible. Also if they used a chelated copper, it is not readily available to treat parasites. I always warn people that just because the LFS had the fish in their system for a prolonged period of time does not mean the fish is clean/healthy. LFS add fish (and some amount of shipping water) to their systems on an ongoing basis. LFS employees use/reuse nets from different systems or scooping out dead fish. LFS employees and shoppers (especially children) frequently put their hands in tanks with many pathogens/contaminants. All of these and many more factors mean that the fish are constantly exposed to new and ongoing sources of pathogens. The only way to be sure that your fish is clean is if you personally quarantine and control what is placed/put in the tank. I think it is more than coincidence that the clowns that have been in your tank for 1 1/2 year and your goby all have spots/discoloration since you have added the tang. The tang looks as if it is afflicted with it as well. Have you noticed any stange behavior - shimmering, scratching, increased respirations? Any extra mucous production? My suggestion to you is to remove the fish and place in a QT with hyposalinity as this very well could be parasitic (cryptocaryon irritans). Some fish will have discoloration at the site of a parasite. Make sure you locate the goby. I would also start an antibiotic as I am not totally convinced that the spots on the clown are not a bacterial infection. The hyposalinity will treat the parasites and will improve the efficacy of the antibiotic. As far as antibiotics, I would use Maracyn 2, kanamycin or one with nitrofurazone - Furan, Furacyn, Furanase. What temp is your display tank? For the QT, I would recommend 70 -74, most bacteria will not proliferate as fast in lower temps so the antibiotic will have a better chance. I would leave the tank fallow (fishless) for at least 4 weeks to allow any parasites to die off. Cryptocaryon irritans requires a fish host to complete its life cycle. Please update. Best of luck,
Kelly
|
|
|
|
| | |