Two Problems

[meg79]

The problems are with my maroon clown and coral beauty. First, the maroon clown has small black "spots" on him. However, they are not really spots. They are not round and raised like Ich spots. They are more in the shape and size of his scales. I don't know if they are falling off or what. I just got him a few weeks ago and started showing these signs about four days ago. He is still eating really well and is active and is acting normal. No rubbing or strange swimming.
The Coral Beauty has white spots (don't look like Ich) on the very edge of his tail. They start out as really small spots and grow larger and longer, them fall off. I have had this fish for 2 months and he has had this since I got him. They don't seem to bother him much. He is also still eating really well, although I have noticed when the white things get larger, he will do a little bit of rubbing. The tank is a 30g with live rock, 2 scarlet hermit crabs, a clown goby, cleaner shrimp, and chocolate chip starfish and has been up for 7 months.
I am feeding them small portions 3 times a day, alternating between flakes, formula one, and brine shrimp. I also usually add garlic with one of the feedings. My water is testing: ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 15, Ph 8.2, temp is 78, and salinity is .023

 

[beth]

Meg, take a look at the Diseased Fish thread and the pictures there of clownfish with Hyper-Melaninization. Does this look like the problem you are having with your clownfish?
Then look at the butterfly fish with Lymphocyctis. Is this the problem that your angel is having?

 

[meg79]

Beth,
As for the clownfish, yes, it does look like hyper melanization. However, when I went through and looked at the pictures before I posted, I noticed that this is thought to be caused by stings from coral or anemone's. I don't think I have anything that would be causing stings. I do know in the fish store, he was in an anemone, but I would think that the problem would be getting better since he is no longer with an anemone. It's actually getting worse. I also noticed yesterday that his lateral line looks to be more raised than usual. Could this be sign he is developing lateral line errosion?
As for the angel, no, it does not look like that. The spots are raised, similar to the way ich spots are raised, but like I said, they are larger than ich spots and grow larger and longer. When I say longer, I mean it seems to be growing out from the fish. Could this be some type of other parasite, a type of worm?

 

[beth]

Ich can definately grow pretty large. Look at the hippo with ich in the Diseased Fish thread. Also, lymph can grow in irregular shapes. Add a grounding probe to your tank.
Can you get a picture up?

 

[meg79]

Can you explain what a ground probe is? I have never heard of those...and what do they do? I will try to get a picture, but he is swimming pretty fast these days. I'll do my best.
Any ideas about the clownfish?