Please help! 3 day old clownfish with white spot

[icontractor82]

Got this clownfish 3 days ago. I just noticed this white spot on him. Can anyone help recognize it and help me treat it?

 

Thank you

 

Btw it's my first marine fish and it sucks that I have a problem this quickly.

 

 

[Sal10104]

its kind of hard to tell from the picture but it looks like either a scratch or brook, Brook is treated with formalin baths, but if you wouldn't mind could i get a closer up picture of his side?

[IronChefItaly]

Highly likely that it is marine ich but I recommend looking up some photos to confirm. This article is really good read here... http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/

 

If its within the return period I would just bring it back, otherwise you can try to get some medication at a discounted price or even for free because it is really your fish store's responsibility to not sell unhealthy fish infected with parasites. Marine ich is pretty destructive, but if you catch it early and treat it properly your fish should recover.

[TFish77]

Got this clownfish 3 days ago. I just noticed this white spot on him. Can anyone help recognize it and help me treat it?

 

Thank you

 

Btw it's my first marine fish and it sucks that I have a problem this quickly.

 

 

 

Sal is right its a bit hard to tell. From the picture though it just looks like small scratch.

 

Keep an eye on him and see what develops. I know it sucks for your first fish to have a problem but you have a very large support community here to help.

 

P.S. For future reference I would be sure to post your water parameters as well so people can get a better idea of whats going on in your tank. I hope everything works out!

[icontractor82]

Hi Guys

 

Thank you for the replys. Let me try and explain the the white spot. It looks like a small piece of fuzz or cotton stuck towards the back of his body. It's maybe 1-2mm wide. I've tried to get a closer photo but it's so difficult. It does look like if I were try to remove it physically it would come off. I've been reading that it could be Lymphocystis. I highly doubt it's ich as I've seen other pics of ich and it doesn't look like it at all.

 

My water levels are

 

Ammonia 0

Nitrites 0

Nitrates 8ppm

Phosphates .08

Temp 77

Ph 7.6-7.8

[icontractor82]

Another thing to mention is that the same fish with the fuzz spot has a chunk of his tail fin missing. There's 2 clowns only in this tank and both are the same size.

[cruiZe]

Welcome to NR! This is a great support community . It looks like you set up your tank pretty recently, do you have any live rock?

[Aurortpa]

Another thing to mention is that the same fish with the fuzz spot has a chunk of his tail fin missing. There's 2 clowns only in this tank and both are the same size.

Welcome! Like life, these issues are part of the reefing journey...I've come to expect them, lol.

 

Anywhooo, did you notice that spot and chunk missing prior to you getting them both? It could be from them squabbling...clowns have little scuffles like that for dominance.

 

If you aren't sure, I'd just try to ensure they are eating good food and stress free. Clowns are extremely resilient with the exception of brooklynella which usually starts at the gills and head--you'd see globs and strands of mucous.

 

I've kept for years, they can get spots, bumps, and marks and usually can kick them off in time. Like I said, just try to get them settled, fed well, and observe closely before you do anything drastic. Just my .02 cents. You'll find everybody here has a different method--just pick the one that works best for you, nobody is necessarily right or wrong.

 

Happy reefing!

[cruiZe]

Welcome! Like life, these issues are part of the reefing journey...

 

Very true. For whatever reasons my first 5 clown fish didn't make it past 6 months, then I got a pair of tank bred juveniles and their 4th birthday is coming up soon.