Clown loach with black freckles?

[Loaches4Life]

Just wondering exactly what this is. Ive had him for 2 years now.

[Bully]

This has been asked occasionally in the past, here's three threads that come up from running a search on "Blackspot". The first post with the link in it is a very good thread but, it is very long!

Forum search for Blackspot

[chefkeith]

IME, it's probably a glandular disorder. If the water chemistry is rapidly changed that can sometimes trigger the grand to produce more black pigmentation. I'm just guessing here, but some of the rocks you have may be leaching and making the water harder. Then if you go a few weeks or months without a water change, then do a large water change, presto. I only recommend small water frequent water changes, such as 2 - 20% water changes per week.

[Loaches4Life]

IME, it's probably a glandular disorder. If the water chemistry is rapidly changed that can sometimes trigger the grand to produce more black pigmentation. I'm just guessing here, but some of the rocks you have may be leaching and making the water harder. Then if you go a few weeks or months without a water change, then do a large water change, presto. I only recommend small water frequent water changes, such as 2 - 20% water changes per week.

Well he was in a group that i bought a couple years ago. i remeber seeing a black spot on his dorsal fin. After about a year a few more appeared. Now they kinda come and go one at a time, always a few on him at a time. i do a 30% or so WC every 2 weeks, never a problem in years. I just wonder if maybe it genetics. i know other people own clowns with this also.

[LoachOrgy]

mine have freckles and often have freckles appear that i can't normally see when they grey out. sometimes i only see certain freckles at times. im no pro but i think they are fine.