Picture of the Week – 10/17 – 10/23

Pictured in the latest AquaNerd Picture of the Week is a pair of ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) exhibiting numerous black spots on their bodies. The common belief for these spots is that they form when a clownfish tries to take up residence in a coral, usually when an anemone is not present. The coral stings the clownfish, forming small dots of black pigmentation, but the condition is not fatal to the clown and really doesn’t affect it behaviorally either. When most hobbyists see the black dots, they get very worried and hit the forums looking for an answer thinking they have some sort of malady that could possibly kill their fish. Fortunately, this condition is only temporary in most instances and will likely go away once the clown changes hosts.