Black spots on clown fish?

[Eliz]

I have had my true percula clown for 4 months now. Today I noticed a few black spots on his sides. One is close to his side fin and some are just on the side of his body. It kind of looks like he has been stung by a coral. The only thing that I have that could sting anything would be a frogspawn. I have never seen him laying in it before! If he is laying in it at night could that be the cause of the black marks? Anyone have a link to some information? I don't want to lose my fish Thanks in advance!

[Bebo77]

my clowns get that from time to time as well...

so long as you are sure its not ick

[kevin2000]

Sounds like a melanistic response to hanging in the corals .. pretty common and nothing to be concerned with.

There is a slight chance this could be black ich .. that would look like fine pepper. Here's a link discussing black ich .. note there is a link within the article to a picture of a yellow tang with black ich.

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr.../blackich.html

Hope this helps.

[Eliz]

Thanks! It definitely doesn't look like the black ich on the yellow tang. These spots are not uniformed in shape. Maybe he is just starting to lay in the frogspawn at night

[jayvee10]

Don't worry about it. I had that problem with my clownfish and found out that it is due to their skin reacting so some types of corals when they get too close to it. The frogspawn is one of them and some zoos. It will be gone in a few days.