Having a black spot on your clownfish can be quite intimidating. You need to realize the roots of the solution to this problem.
Why are there black spots on clownfish?
Well, it’s utterly common for clownfish to have black spots. The reason can be hyper melanization. Hypermelinization can be caused by the stings of an LPS coral.
But you can treat them easily using two simple methods we’ve explained below.
Now, this is some fundamental information that’s not enough. You need to understand more to get greater recommendations.
So what are you waiting for? Get right into the details-
Symptoms of the Black Spot Diseases on Clownfish
Once the black worms feed on several fish, they obtain melanin pigmentation.
This melanin pigmentation causes black spots. Also, it causes the volumes of a grain of salt on the body and fin layers.
The worms can freely proceed on fish. It’s because the spots don’t remain motionless every time.
But on light-colored fish, it’s pretty easy to find out black spots. However, on dark-colored ones, they’ll go unnoticed in the first instance.
As with other outside parasites, the overgrown fish will scrape in opposition to objects or the substrate.
At that time, the fish can become lethargic, and lose their taste and color.
They don’t even feast on copepods. Again if the gills are grandiose, then rapid respiration develops.
Secondary bacterial infections can occupy defaced tissue sites. If outside infections develop, you need to treat them as the other bacterial infection.
What Are Black Spots on Clownfish?
This black spot disease is also familiar as diplopstomiasis or fluke infection. It was created by ‘Parasite’.
The black spots on the fish are tiny Paravortex turbellaria flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthes). These black spots are implanted in the skin of the fish.
The black spot can eventually get through the fish’s flesh and skin for many years.
Lastly, it’s a problem where the fish is contaminated by these parasites. So it needs to be handled as soon as possible.
What Is The Cure for The Black Spots On Clownfish?
After tracing the black spot disease, you need to cure your fish promptly. Otherwise, your fish might face difficulties. Like- as being unable to swim properly, their eyes getting blurry, etc.
So, give all your infected fish a freshwater dip or a formalin bath. You need to pursue the process in a quarantine tank.
Praziquantel has been worn out with some victory. So, you can use it while treating affected fish in quarantine tanks.
You might be worried about how to give a fish freshwater dip or formalin bath.
For your better understanding, we’ve explained the process below. Follow the steps to treat your fish properly.
Formalin Bath
This process is more effective than a freshwater dip. Also, it’s considered the perfect process for the clownfish.
Here, you will need some tools to continue the process
Tools
- A Quarantine Tank
- 37 percent formalin solution
- Fresh and saltwater
- 2 treatment containers of your choice
- AmQuel, or another suitable ammonia-neutralizing product
- Antibiotic or antibacterial medication
On that note, here are some of our top-picked quarantine tanks. You should choose the good quality one so that your fish gets the best treatment.
Step 1 of 3: Setting Up The Quarantine Tank
First, you need to begin with a quarantine tank. Then provide the tank with vigorous aeration.
However, hypersalinity does not heal parasitic infestations. You need to be underneath the specific gravity of the Quarantine Tank water.
Underneath the water’s gravity to about 1.010. It can assist in keeping guarded new free-swimming organisms against reinfecting the fish.
Step 2 of 3: Preparing Container
Then you need to prepare a container with treatment water. Mix it as per the supervision of a manufacturer’s formalin outcome.
You need to include vigorous aeration of the treated water. For example, I am placing an air stone. It’s because formalin will reduce the oxygen in the water.
After that, arrange another container. And preferably with lowered salinity 1.010 specific gravity water. This will be worn to give fish a quick dip.
This quick dip should be done after they have been taken out of the treated water.
Step 3 of 3: Formalin Treatment and Dipping
When these are all ready, you need to locate your fish. Locate them in the formalin treatment container.
Once the treatment is completed, you need to follow the next step.
Give a fast 30-second to two-minute dip. This should be done in the second container of water. Again place them into the Quarantine Tank.
Remember, while giving a dip in the second container, notice the stress level. It varies from fish to fish.
Freshwater Dip
This is one of the fastest ways to eliminate the number of ich organisms and flukes. Here are the things you’ll require for the procedure-
- A plastic container that’s large enough to hold the fish to be treated comfortably
- Ammonia neutralizing product
- Nitrofurazone based medication
- Air pump and air stone
- Freshwater (filtered or dechlorinated)
Now, you need to follow the below steps to execute your treatment.
Step 1 of 3: Filling the Container With Filtered Water
First, you need to top up a plastic container with a suitable source of freshwater.
For example- RO/DI filtered water. If you have no option, you can use tap water. But it would be best if you dechlorinated it first.
Step 2 of 3: Matching the pH And Adding Neutralization
To block useless shock and stress, you should attempt to match the pH.
Also, you need to fixture the freshwater temperature with the aquarium water. You can use a quality water heater for that.
Again to stop ammonia from increasing in the treatment water, add something. It could be an ammonia-neutralizing product.
Don’t forget to keep the water strongly aerated during treatment. The unchallenging way to do this is to place it into the container.
The container should be an airstone. It should be attached to an aquarium air pump.
Step 3 of 3: Placing Them into Freshwater
Now you need to detach all the fish from the infected aquarium. After that, locate them in the freshwater.
For better returns, fish should last in the freshwater for some time. The period should be three to four minutes.
Remember, if any fish is showing hints of extreme stress after a minute or two, separate it. Otherwise, there could be a similar situation to your starfish dying.
And that’s all. Your clownfish should be free of black spots by now.
FAQs
Question: Can Black ich kill your fish?
Answer: Well, it may kill your fish. It said that black ich does not have overspread power as white ich. So, it might go away by itself.
Question: Can your clownfish get white spots?
Answer: You might see white spots also in your fish. That means the parasites are mature. And they are going to break out and release into your water.
Question: Can copper kill black ich?
Answer: The answer is no. Copper can’t kill black ich. You need to follow the process we have explained below.
Conclusion
So, now you know the reasons behind black spots on clownfish. Hopefully, you have realized how to solve this disease.
We hope you can resolve your problem and handle your fish.