Hi all, new here and was really hoping that my first post wouldn't have to be in the disease forum.
About a month ago I got a "Midas" cichlid from petsmart, I assume it is a Midas/Red Devil mix. He is housed in a 60 gallon tank by himself right now, and is about 3"-4". He has seemed very healthy since I got him, and still does, but recently I have been noticing brown spots on him. I first noticed them on his fins, the most noticeable was on his tail. Yesterday I also noticed one on his lip. The one on his lip looks almost like the rim a small kid gets around the side of his mouth after eating too many oreos. I have recently noticed him digging a lot (which is very fun to watch him pick rocks up and spit them out at the glass) so maybe that can account for the mark on his mouth? I do have black gravel as substrate. I tried to snap some pics but was not very succesful. Here is one where you can see the mark on his tail, and below that is one that barely shows the mark on his mouth. (I will have to take a look at the threads regarding taking good photos apparently...)
the mark is on his bottom lip, and looks more blackish in person...
His water parameters have been very good since he was in the tank.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate ~ 5
Temp 80-82
Two 30-40% water changes per week
I feed him Hikari cichlid gold 2-3 times a day, usually leaving one day a week to let him "purge".
Any ideas what this is? Is it normal, or easily treatable?
Also, I realize that a 60gal is not big enough for him for life. I am taking my first stab at this hobby and bought the 60gal figuring that if I enjoyed it I would be getting another larger tank soon, and if I didn't enjoy it then I wouldn't be keeping the fish long enough for him to need a larger tank. So far it looks like I will be going with the new tank option
Need any more info? I'd be happy to get it to you.
Here is a full pic without flash for those interested
About a month ago I got a "Midas" cichlid from petsmart, I assume it is a Midas/Red Devil mix. He is housed in a 60 gallon tank by himself right now, and is about 3"-4". He has seemed very healthy since I got him, and still does, but recently I have been noticing brown spots on him. I first noticed them on his fins, the most noticeable was on his tail. Yesterday I also noticed one on his lip. The one on his lip looks almost like the rim a small kid gets around the side of his mouth after eating too many oreos. I have recently noticed him digging a lot (which is very fun to watch him pick rocks up and spit them out at the glass) so maybe that can account for the mark on his mouth? I do have black gravel as substrate. I tried to snap some pics but was not very succesful. Here is one where you can see the mark on his tail, and below that is one that barely shows the mark on his mouth. (I will have to take a look at the threads regarding taking good photos apparently...)
the mark is on his bottom lip, and looks more blackish in person...
His water parameters have been very good since he was in the tank.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate ~ 5
Temp 80-82
Two 30-40% water changes per week
I feed him Hikari cichlid gold 2-3 times a day, usually leaving one day a week to let him "purge".
Any ideas what this is? Is it normal, or easily treatable?
Also, I realize that a 60gal is not big enough for him for life. I am taking my first stab at this hobby and bought the 60gal figuring that if I enjoyed it I would be getting another larger tank soon, and if I didn't enjoy it then I wouldn't be keeping the fish long enough for him to need a larger tank. So far it looks like I will be going with the new tank option
Need any more info? I'd be happy to get it to you.
Here is a full pic without flash for those interested
