Black mark on O.Clown?

I have had a pair of O. clowns for about 9 months or so. The male and female have developed dark shadings and the female has a black mark right behind its left fin. They are healthy, i know its not a parasite..Im just wondering if this is maturity or like just something O.Clowns develops, and also is this a plus sign to breeding?

 

The darker coloration is normal as they age, particularly if they are being hosted by an anemone or coral with strong stinging cells.

 

I have no anemone. The only thing they seem to interested in is a 10lb rock and a zoa colony. haha.

 

Certainly sounds like hypermelanization. How often do they reside in the zoanthids?


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Only at night..And like while the actinics are on(like an extra hour after MH comes off) And what is that big word hypermelanization mean? ahha

 

Hypermelanization means your anemonefish (clown) came into contact with a coral (or something) that is irritating its skin. Don't think it is life threatening but I'm sure someone else will know more than I do on the subject.

 

Melanin is what gives skin it's color, or pigmentation. When the skin of the clownfish is exposed to injury from a stinging coral, the body produces melanin.

 

Okay,cool..so its not good but its not bad?


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Just cosmetic as far as we know.


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Alright cool. Thanks everyone.