Spot on clown fish head

[MTBake]

Not sure what's going on with my clown. Kinda looks like it's missing white pigment on its head. I also see a few small ovals on one side that looks like it's starting to do the same thing. I've never seen this before and was wondering what it could be. Any info would be appreciated.

I've attached the best pics I could muster. It will not stay still for a pic.

He was solid white on his head yesterday.

The one on the left in this pic.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Not sure what's going on with my clown. Kinda looks like it's missing white pigment on its head. I also see a few small ovals on one side that looks like it's starting to do the same thing. I've never seen this before and was wondering what it could be. Any info would be appreciated.

I've attached the best pics I could muster. It will not stay still for a pic.

He was solid white on his head yesterday.

The one on the left in this pic.

Are these in QT? How long have you had them?

 

[MTBake]

Are these in QT? How long have you had them?

They are in qt. They are also being treated for internal parasites due to stringy white feces. I'm using general cure and focus soaked food for that. On day 10 of treatment. I've had them for almost 3 months now.

 

[Flippers4pups]

They are in qt. They are also being treated for internal parasites due to stringy white feces. I'm using general cure and focus soaked food for that. On day 10 of treatment. I've had them for almost 3 months now.

Any aggression? Could be a couple things, but let's see what others say.

Ill ask for some more eyes on this!

#reefsquad.
@Humblefish, @4FordFamily

 

[Crabs McJones]

I agree with @Flippers4pups my first impression is the one clown is probably beating up on the other. If its causing to much of an issue other than determining dominance Separate them if you're able to ir divide the tank with something to see if it improves

 

[MTBake]

Any aggression? Could be a couple things, but let's see what others say.

Ill ask for some more eyes on this!

#reefsquad.

I have seen the affected one do the submission shimmy dance a few times. It seemed like they paired up a few weeks ago, but perhaps not. Haven't noticed one picking on the other at all.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have seen the affected one do the submission shimmy dance a few times. It seemed like they paired up a few weeks ago, but perhaps not. Haven't noticed one picking on the other at all.

I'm going with aggression at this point, I would separate the two for now and see if the area on the one improves.

Having them for three months kinda rules out brooklynella. Do you have anything else in the QT with them?

 

[Amoo]

Just an observation, but with Picassos the "dance" is often much less physical then with many other kinds of clowns. The spots that can be visably seen on the male are on the top of the head and right by the dorsal, which would also be abnormal spots if it was aggression. I'm thinking this is something else as they appear to be rub marks.

EDIT: I'm not a disease expert by any means but any chance this is HLLE?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Just an observation, but with Picassos the "dance" is often much less physical then with many other kinds of clowns. The spots that can be visably seen on the male are on the top of the head and right by the dorsal, which would also be abnormal spots if it was aggression. I'm thinking this is something else as they appear to be rub marks.

Some type of HLLE perhaps?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Just an observation, but with Picassos the "dance" is often much less physical then with many other kinds of clowns. The spots that can be visably seen on the male are on the top of the head and right by the dorsal, which would also be abnormal spots if it was aggression. I'm thinking this is something else as they appear to be rub marks.

Yep, kinda weird. Still could be chasing and it ran into something. Skin missing. Jumping could be a issue.

Do you have a screen top on your QT?
Can't tell from the pictures, is it fins frayed?

 

[Amoo]

edited my original post, but IIRC there was a study a few years ago where HLLE could be caused by Activated Carbon, would make some sense here. Dunno though like I said I try to stay away from this forum as much as possible

 

[MTBake]

I agree with @Flippers4pups my first impression is the one clown is probably beating up on the other. If its causing to much of an issue other than determining dominance Separate them if you're able to ir divide the tank with something to see if it improves

I'm kinda curious to see how this turns out myself. They don't seem aggessive towards one another at all from what I've seen. Pretty sure they have paired up actually.

I was hoping to take them off the general cure but saw stringy poop today from both of them.

And looking back at some of my pics, that area of the affected fishes head looks a little sunken in to me. They both have great appetites, so I'm not terribly worried as of yet. Just a bit concerned is all.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm kinda curious to see how this turns out myself. They don't seem aggessive towards one another at all from what I've seen. Pretty sure they have paired up actually.

I was hoping to take them off the general cure but saw stringy poop today from both of them.

And looking back at some of my pics, that area of the affected fishes head looks a little sunken in to me. They both have great appetites, so I'm not terribly worried as of yet. Just a bit concerned is all.

I would keep a eye on it for now and see if it's better or worse tomorrow. If possible get some Selcon and soak their food in it.

This could end up being a bacterial infection.

 

[MTBake]

edited my original post, but IIRC there was a study a few years ago where HLLE could be caused by Activated Carbon, would make some sense here. Dunno though like I said I try to stay away from this forum as much as possible

This is interesting! I added activated carbon 4 days ago. Could have something to do with this. I usually don't run activated carbon. Going to pull it to see if there is a change. I'll change one thing at a time to see what the results are.

 

[Flippers4pups]

This is interesting! I added activated carbon 4 days ago. Could have something to do with this. I usually don't run activated carbon. Going to pull it to see if there is a change. I'll change one thing at a time to see what the results are.

Usually it's most prevalent in tangs. I'm not sure about HLLE happening that quickly with GAC use.

 

[Amoo]

Here's the article out of advanced aquarist so you can do some research.

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/activated-carbon-affirmed-as-causative-agent-for-hlle-disease

Other then removing the carbon, one of these disease guys would have to help with further treatment methods.

 

[MTBake]

I would keep a eye on it for now and see if it's better or worse tomorrow. If possible get some Selcon and soak their food in it.

This could end up being a bacterial infection.

I will keep an eye on it to see if it gets worse or better. As of now, the spot seems to be getting larger. But the lights are off now.

And it is also possible it jumped into the lid or swam into something. My qt is a 20 long with a standard lid/light combo.

 

[Amoo]

Usually it's most prevalent in tangs. I'm not sure about HLLE happening that quickly with GAC use.

I agree flip, I have only ever seen it one other time on a clown.

 

[Flippers4pups]

In the mean time, you could try 1 tablespoon per gallon of Epsom salt. It may help it heal.

 

[MTBake]

Well, the spot is completely gone. Looks like nothing ever was there. Really odd.