Fuzzy White patch on clownfishes face

ancel22

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 26, 2026
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Im new to reef tanks and started with two clownfish i bought around a month ago. I had noticed that one of them had a dark spot that seemed to be in/under his skin, and slightly bulging. he didn't seem to be eating

4 days later the spot had grown into a dark patch

6 days later i placed him in isolation with antibiotics

10 days later (today) the spot is now pale instead of dark, is very fuzzy, and covers a large area. He is now finally eating again

the fish store told me they must have cut their face on a sharp rock. is this a normal healing process for such an injury, or might it be something else? is the white just dead skin being shed like a scab?

day1.jpg day6.jpg day10.jpg
 

Jay Hemdal

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
37,581
Reaction score
37,382
Location
Dundee, MI
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Im new to reef tanks and started with two clownfish i bought around a month ago. I had noticed that one of them had a dark spot that seemed to be in/under his skin, and slightly bulging. he didn't seem to be eating

4 days later the spot had grown into a dark patch

6 days later i placed him in isolation with antibiotics

10 days later (today) the spot is now pale instead of dark, is very fuzzy, and covers a large area. He is now finally eating again

the fish store told me they must have cut their face on a sharp rock. is this a normal healing process for such an injury, or might it be something else? is the white just dead skin being shed like a scab?

day1.jpg day6.jpg day10.jpg

Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

That last photo looks like a rare external fungal disease. I’ve treated that with daily formalin dips at 75 ppm, but that really isn’t safe to use in a home. Can you get ruby reef rally pro?

As a side note, those large glass pebbles are going to cause problems at some point - they allow uneaten food to drift down where the fish can’t get it.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
108,098
Reaction score
242,659
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
This rot is from a fungal condition and best treated with either Seachem neoplex or Ruby rally pro which takes longer to take effect. Treat in a separate tank with clean mixed water and add air stone during treatment. If eating, feed brine shrimp which it can suck in while healing
 
OP
OP
A

ancel22

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 26, 2026
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This rot is from a fungal condition and best treated with either Seachem neoplex or Ruby rally pro which takes longer to take effect. Treat in a separate tank with clean mixed water and add air stone during treatment. If eating, feed brine shrimp which it can suck in while healing
Thanks, ill order some Ruby Rally. What are the fish's chances of survival, and how long do you think it will take to heal? is my other fish in any danger of infection, or does this only happen after an injury?
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
A

ancel22

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 26, 2026
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

That last photo looks like a rare external fungal disease. I’ve treated that with daily formalin dips at 75 ppm, but that really isn’t safe to use in a home. Can you get ruby reef rally pro?

As a side note, those large glass pebbles are going to cause problems at some point - they allow uneaten food to drift down where the fish can’t get it.
thanks, ill be sure to take the pebbles out. how long do you think i should expect recovery to take?
 

Jay Hemdal

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
37,581
Reaction score
37,382
Location
Dundee, MI
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
thanks, ill be sure to take the pebbles out. how long do you think i should expect recovery to take?

I can’t really say. With formalin dips it takes a week or so of daily dips. Rally Pro is much safer to use, but also not as effective.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 37 27.2%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 46 33.8%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 30 22.1%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 13 9.6%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 10 7.4%
Back
Top