Clownfish has stings

[Hemmbone20]

I recently moved some things around in my tank, and my pair of clowns went from spending all their time on a rock covered in GSP, to now moving into my zoa garden.
I immediately noticed some black spots, and through research on R2R, figured they had some minor stings.
Well… it’s been 2 weeks now… they haven’t learned their lesson yet. The stings are so bad it’s almost completely covering their bellies. They aggressively nestle into the zoas all day and all night.
Is this a threat to their health? Will they eventually move on?

 

[Peace River]

Zoas don't normally sting, so let's bring some others into the conversation...

#fishmedics

 

[Sharkbait19]

That does look to be hypermelanization. It should eventually go away - I haven’t heard of it causing any health issues.
I do agree that it’s weird to get that severe of a reaction from zoas (I think I have seen them get it from them though). The hammer seems like more of a likely culprit.
Either way, I wouldn’t be concerned.

 

[Hemmbone20]

That does look to be hypermelanization. It should eventually go away - I haven’t heard of it causing any health issues.
I do agree that it’s weird to get that severe of a reaction from zoas (I think I have seen them get it from them though). The hammer seems like more of a likely culprit.
Either way, I wouldn’t be concerned.

I’m almost positive it’s from the zoas. These guys never leave this area of my tank.
There are 1-2 pesky aptasia mixed in with the zoas that could be causing stings as well?

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’m sure the aiptasia is contributing, but it could definitely be the zoas. It’s just not something regularly seen.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I agree, that looks like hypermelanization to me also. I have a Darwin clown that has been hosting in zoanthids for a couple of years - but since this fish is mostly black, I never saw any signs of this in that fish.

Could the sweeper tentacles in the bubble coral above be causing this at night when they extend?

 

[Hemmbone20]

I agree, that looks like hypermelanization to me also. I have a Darwin clown that has been hosting in zoanthids for a couple of years - but since this fish is mostly black, I never saw any signs of this in that fish.

Could the sweeper tentacles in the bubble coral above be causing this at night when they extend?

No… nothing else is close enough. Those zoas are on a dedicated island.
I’ve been paying attention and they only make contact with the zoas.
Oh well, they still eat and act normally so I guess I’ll just keep monitoring.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

No… nothing else is close enough. Those zoas are on a dedicated island.
I’ve been paying attention and they only make contact with the zoas.
Oh well, they still eat and act normally so I guess I’ll just keep monitoring.

O.K. but bubble coral sweepers can extend 3 to 4" at night... and they pack a more powerful sting...

 

[Hemmbone20]

O.K. but bubble coral sweepers can extend 3 to 4" at night... and they pack a more powerful sting...

I don’t have a bubble coral, and I’ve looked at night. No sweepers.

 

[winxp_man]

Get a BTA nem for them. Problem solved.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I don’t have a bubble coral, and I’ve looked at night. No sweepers.

Sorry - I now see that it isn't a bubble coral....those hammers can still sting, but they don't have sweepers....

 

[Uncle99]

I recently moved some things around in my tank, and my pair of clowns went from spending all their time on a rock covered in GSP, to now moving into my zoa garden.
I immediately noticed some black spots, and through research on R2R, figured they had some minor stings.
Well… it’s been 2 weeks now… they haven’t learned their lesson yet. The stings are so bad it’s almost completely covering their bellies. They aggressively nestle into the zoas all day and all night.
Is this a threat to their health? Will they eventually move on?

I would figure they would just move if they were uncomfortable, so I assume, no issue to the fish.