Concerning Black Marks/spots On African Cichlids – Please Help – Pictures Attached

[clinty76]

I’ve noticed black marks/spots that are continually getting bigger and more of them on my African Cichlids. Most of the fish just have small specks of black on their body, but a couple of them have large blotches. One in particular has it on the dorsal fin and it looks like a small part of the fin is missing. I believe this may have been an nipping injury from before, but I’m not 100% positive.

I’ve done a lot of research and found that it may be “spirulina” marks because there’s too much in the food, but I’ve also seen a few instances of a “Black Spot” disease which is what I’m concerned about. The fish are behaving completely normal other than a few flashing in the evening. I do not feel the flashing is severe, but just a normal part of their life. Only a few do it and it’s not very often.

Anyways, here are the details and parameters of the tank.

Tank Details
Age: 1 year
Size: 75 gallons
Filter: Fluval FX6
Green Killing Machine UV
Caribsea Cichlid Sand
Water Changes: Every Saturday/Sunday (30-40%)(Seachem Prime)

Water parameters are consistently:
Temp: 79.5 – 80.5
PH: 8
Ammonia: 0 - .25
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: Usually 20 when I do water change

Food
Mon/Wed/Fri: New Life Spectrum Algaemax (Mixed with Metroplex/Focus)
Tue/Thur/Sat: Seachem Nutridiet Cichlid Flakes
Sun: Fast

Fish
Yellow Labs: 7
Rusty: 7
Powder Blue: 7
Acei: 7

 

[A201]

Black Spot disease is a parasite with a very complex life cycle. I don't think there is really any chance of that. IMO, looks like some factor in the water is adversely affecting the cichlid's slime coat, resulting in ammonia-like burns.
Possibly your water company has changed up its water treatment chemicals. If you are running activated carbon in the canister filter, it would be a good idea to remove it.
Along with Prime, mix in API "Stress Coat" or any other name brand water conditioner with Aloe Vera.

 

[clinty76]

Black Spot disease is a parasite with a very complex life cycle. I don't think there is really any chance of that. IMO, looks like some factor in the water is adversely affecting the cichlid's slime coat, resulting in ammonia-like burns.
Possibly your water company has changed up its water treatment chemicals. If you are running activated carbon in the canister filter, it would be a good idea to remove it.
Along with Prime, mix in API "Stress Coat" or any other name brand water conditioner with Aloe Vera.

I don't use activated carbon, so I'm set there. Would you recommend using Stress Coat or Stress Guard every water change?

 

[A201]

I've never used Stress guard, but Seachem products are really good. It might be a better product.

 

[clinty76]

Anyone else have ideas or opinions?