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Clownfish spotting (1 Viewer)

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So I’ve got a black photon and a black ice clown... they are the same age and I believe the photon will become the female as it seems to be the dominant clown. It’s hosted in my BTA for 6 months and doesn’t allow the other near it. It’ll even lay there and “suck” on the BTA’s tentacles like a baby puppy! Anyway, shortly after it started hosting, it developed these big black spots (look like freckles). I read this could be from the stings of the nem, but assumed if this was the case they would’ve cleared by now since it’s hosted so long in it. The other clown has no spotting, but can’t ever get near the nem lol They act completely healthy otherwise, and spotty clown likes to bite the s@$! outta me every time my hand goes in the tank! Is the spotting normal and will it go away? As long as it’s healthy, I’m good! I don’t mind the freckles... they actually give it some character! I just want to make sure my babies are good, and was wondering if this is something I should be concerned about.
 

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So I’ve got a black photon and a black ice clown... they are the same age and I believe the photon will become the female as it seems to be the dominant clown. It’s hosted in my BTA for 6 months and doesn’t allow the other near it. It’ll even lay there and “suck” on the BTA’s tentacles like a baby puppy! Anyway, shortly after it started hosting, it developed these big black spots (look like freckles). I read this could be from the stings of the nem, but assumed if this was the case they would’ve cleared by now since it’s hosted so long in it. The other clown has no spotting, but can’t ever get near the nem lol They act completely healthy otherwise, and spotty clown likes to bite the s@$! outta me every time my hand goes in the tank! Is the spotting normal and will it go away? As long as it’s healthy, I’m good! I don’t mind the freckles... they actually give it some character! I just want to make sure my babies are good, and was wondering if this is something I should be concerned about.

If it’s hosting it’s unlikely to be stings from the nematocysts. A clown will check out a nem and slowly get used to the stings by sticking just it’s nose in or doing drive by bumps and swimming. I will say that a bta isn’t a “preferred” or natural host for these guys but I doubt they are getting stung.

Some clowns show a degree of melanism when they host in particular nems. Hadn’t heard of it presenting as freckles but as long as it’s healthy and eating I wouldn’t sweat it. Maybe add a picture for Bobby to look at.

The biting sucking of tentacles is very normal behavior. Some clowns get downright rough with their nems and rip them off.


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Best I could do... doesn’t wanna stay still! 😂 you can see the spots on the belly and fins... and a little “beauty mole” on the face
 

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tjohnson3
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Sounds like Hyper-Melanization: Clownfish Hyper-Melanization – Marine Fish Diseases and Treatment

But a photo would certainly help confirm that diagnosis.
Thank you @Humblefish ... it def looks like the hypermelanization link you sent, just darker. The nem only fought hosting the first few days.. as a matter of fact, I got the nem from you @BigRick ! So I’m hoping everything is good. It eats like a pig and def has no lack of energy! So I’m hoping all is good, but wanted to be sure
 

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Yup... basically the anenomes stings is strong but can your clowns natural defense might not be strong enough. He's getting bruised up. He eventually recovers or most likely stays like that. fatal ive never seen.
 

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Thank you, too @kris4647 ! All help is appreciated... just saw my black ice has them also. Just a few on tail fins. Assuming it’s from swimming by the nem since it isn’t allowed in [emoji51]

No problem. Bobby is the best at all things fish disease and treatment. I tag him so often on Facebook I know his actual name (lol).

I just love all things anemone and clownfish.

Here’s a video on the origin of Sanjay’s own Photons.



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No problem. Bobby is the best at all things fish disease and treatment. I tag him so often on Facebook I know his actual name (lol).

I just love all things anemone and clownfish.

Here’s a video on the origin of Sanjay’s own Photons.



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Thank you lol believe it or not, I actually bought my photon bc of that article! I saw them for sale @ThatAquariumPlace, fell in love, and decided to do a little research before the purchase. I will say though, my photon is WAAAYYY prettier than the photos I’ve seen posted online, which is primarily why I jumped at the purchase. All the rest at the lfs looked like the photons you see in pics... I got the good one 😜 And (I assume it’s a “she”) is pairing up nicely with my black ice clown... could have some even cooler babies before too long
 

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Best I could do... doesn’t wanna stay still! 😂 you can see the spots on the belly and fins... and a little “beauty mole” on the face
what a beautiful clown! Honestly if it were me I wouldn't even mind if the pigmentation stayed permanent, it's super cute (except the part about the painful stinging). You can just name her Cindy Clownford :)
 
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what a beautiful clown! Honestly if it were me I wouldn't even mind if the pigmentation stayed permanent, it's super cute (except the part about the painful stinging). You can just name her Cindy Clownford :)
Thanks! I think it’s a beautiful clown, too 🤗esp since the hypermelanization is so dark and the same color black as the rest of the fish, it looks like it’s supposed to be that way lol AND, great name choice btw! But my daughter already named her Bahari, which I think is Swahili for Ocean... but between us, I like Cindy Clownford better 🤫
 

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Thanks! I think it’s a beautiful clown, too 🤗esp since the hypermelanization is so dark and the same color black as the rest of the fish, it looks like it’s supposed to be that way lol AND, great name choice btw! But my daughter already named her Bahari, which I think is Swahili for Ocean... but between us, I like Cindy Clownford better 🤫
Bahari is a gorgeous name for a strikingly-patterned and resilient fish!
 
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