Dez Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Alright, so I'm new in the whole Cichlid world and apparently lost as well. Here's the thing, I have a 30 gallon tank (I know, small for cichlids but planning to upgrade within a few months to at least a 55 Gallon). I have one male and one female Electric Yellow and also a female Saulosi. Tank has been running for just over a month, have an Aqua clear 150 filter along with an undergravel filter. Tons of Air stones and the algae is really starting to creep up.. I'm doing 20% water changes every week to week and a half . (Never longer) All are eating fine, are a bit more skitterish then normal and hiding quite a bit. Especially the male. Both Yellow labs were flashing more then usual but that stopped when we added aquarium salt to the water ( one tbsp for every 5 gallons). Here are the tank stats Temp- 80 Ammonia - 0.0 Nitrite- 0.0 Nitrate -10.0 ppm pH - 7.8 Now the problem is my male is starting to develop black patches? all over his body that to me resemble mold. Any idea what this could be and how I would go about getting rid of it? My female Lab is also starting to develop it now but not as bad as the male yet. The Saulosi looks and acts to be in perfect health. Can anyone offer me any info or suggestion? I've enclosed some pics to help you out.. Thanks a bunch ~Dez~ http://tinypic.com/1fekqa http://tinypic.com/1fekut http://tinypic.com/1fekrb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Dez - not to worry, in some strains of labs this is perfectly normal in males. Not something I look for in a lab, but not a sign of illness either. He's most likely 'flashing' due to his desire to breed. (with both females) BTW - no need to add salt to your tank, especially in that quantity. IMO it will do more harm than good, and I'd wean them off of the salt. Hope that helps ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dez Posted January 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Is it perfectly normal in females as well? My female Lab is starting to develop a little bit of the black around her face and top of her head. Her coloring (along with his) has really started to look a little faded. Definitely not the same vibrant bright yellow as when I first purchased the pair. Thanks for all the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Are you certain it's a female? Has she held eggs in the past? Also, what exactly do you feed these fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 I'm posting over at CF ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dez Posted January 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 As far as I know she's held in the past..According to the place we got her from anyhow. Then again who knows for certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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