Think my clownfish has some kind of parasite

[palvyre]

They are scraping their gills on rock and substrate and the female is acting lethargic. The only thing I can see on the fish at all is white splotch like the attached picture. It does not appear to be ich as the only fish impacted are the clowns and they don't have any of the tale-tale white speckles.

 

[Wastedryan]

Have you tried giving them a fresh water dip to see if the spots come off?

 

[palvyre]

I haven't yet. I didn't want to stress her out until I knew what was going on. She is still eating well and she sleeps at night on the substrate wedged against a rock. Which makes me wonder if she is injuring her side on the rock. I just saw her out and swimming around again normally, but earlier she was going to where she normally sleeps and just lying there like she does at night. She has also been gasping a little now and then, that combined with the scratching on surfaces has me concerned.

 

[shred5]

Sounds like Brooklynella clownfish disease. Formalin dips is the cure.


http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/ichparasiticdiseases/a/aabrooklynella.htm

 

[palvyre]

I thought that was a possibility, but she has no slime on her and these splotches have been on her off and on for a couple of months. I would think brooklynella would have killed her in that time frame.

 

[Joe S]

Those almost look like damaged/detached scales... possible to get more photos?

 

[palvyre]

Here is the best I could do.

 

[palvyre]

She is still eating well, but I see her sleeping during the day often. The male swims round still during the day. They are a mated pair and approximately 6 years old.