Blue Spotted Jawfish and Black spot?!!

[Brian1f1]

I introduced a bluespotted jawfish about two weeks ago. He was intimidated and somewhat bullied by a blue devil for about 3 to 5 days. It wasn't really pysical just stressful. He did not decide on a permanent burrow until about 5 days ago. At one point he even tried to live under a large green brain coral... Now he is out in the open in a nice burrow, acting quite healthy, eating well ect.
He appears to have marine blackspot on his face. Is this even possible? The rest of him looks to be for the most part untouched, maybe a touch on one of his pelvic fins. The spots are mostly very tiny. smaller then a grain of sand with a few slightly larger sand sized ones.
I hate to remove him. I would most likely have to fish for him and hook him. He is finally settled and seems to be doing very well. I am not sure It would be a benifit to him. However I am worried about my other fish. The tank is a 150 gallon reef by the way. Thanks!

[hammondegge]

Welcome to Maast Brian!
sorry i dont know a thing about blackspot

[Brian1f1]

Thank you! This forum seemed to be more welcoming and friendly so I posted! Still have the worlds only bluespot jawfish with blackspot though... if that can even happen? lol

[thedude]

Because of the thick slime coat on all jawfish even if he does have blackspot, it's going to be near impossible to treat with medicine. I have heard that jawfish are particularly resilient to copper medications, but I'd take that with only a grain of salt.

Even if he does have blackspot, the best treatment may be to stay on top of water quality, make sure he isn't being harassed, and make sure he gets a vitamin and protein enriched food.

[Brian1f1]

I tend to agree, he doesnt seem to be being harrassed much at all anymore. He does hate the pink spotted goby though! but the goby mostly doesnt stay on that side of the tank much at all. I was kind of leaning to not capturing him as being the better bet... still I can't believe a jawfish of all things would show blackspot... but thats what it almost has to be. I worry about the other fish but the system has been rock solid and I've had no problems with disease in the past (fingers crossed) Beautiful fish he is though, marine center had them, first time I've scene them in almost 2 years. Anybody else ever have this occur?

[JimD]

Are you positive its blackspot? Ive never heard of jaws getting this infection, usualy where Bluespots are concerned, theyre mostly vulnerable to whitepatch (not sure of the exat terminology) disease, which can for sure kill them. Has he been in contact with any zoanthids? They have been known to produce a similar infection on clownfish. Id do a google search and see what comes up.

[Brian1f1]

I am pretty sure that it is black spot. I mean what else looks like finely ground black pepper with some bigger blobs mixed in? Could it be the worlds first case? lol I would take a picture. actually I did and I can't get a shot zoomed enough to show it any.
He does look better today. He lost most of the bigger ones, still has some finer ones but has better color. I can't say he is eating to well, But I am probably, in my haste to rehabilitate him offering him to much. He moves his burrow every few days or so. I don't think thats normal but he seems okay? I will keep trying to get him on the right track...
He has not been in contact with zoanthids I don't have any colony's. He did atempt to live under a large open brain though, but I think he had spots before then.