Vicious Camel Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Hi all, A few of my Ps. saulosi females have been slowly taking on a dirty appearance over the last few months. All fish are looking great and are as happy as larry in the tank, just some of the females appear to have small black specs scattered over their body. it looks as though somebody has got a paintbrush, dipped it in black paint, and flicked it at them... (sorry, no pics) any suggestions? thanks in advance VC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeyBoyR Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 I had this problem with my mbuna a while back too, it can be quite frustrating! From memory it is caused by a parasite brought in from an unclean aquatic environment, such as a pond. I myself traced my infections back to the fact I made the mistake of using the same net in my pond as in my tank. From what I can recall a broad spectrum anti-bacterial should do the trick. I could be completely wrong though, Ive been out of the hobby a while so if anyone else out there has any more of an idea than me then feel free to help this chap out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiona Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Mine have sometimes looked a little smutty and it's just a bit of extra pigment, comes and goes. Not spotty, but maybe like a toothbrush was a bit flicked at them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious Camel Posted September 20, 2004 Author Share Posted September 20, 2004 yeah, thas is exactly what it looks like. The specs on mine seem to move around too. My fish all seem really healthy so i don't think it worries them at all. Just looks damn ugly though! wish there was a way to "fix" it cheers VC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazimbwe Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 VC, what sort of diet do you have the saulosi on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canerod Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 I just bought a breeding colony of saulosi and was told the black smudges on the females is caused by feeding spirulina, apparently colour enhancing foods have that effect on the pigmentation. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious Camel Posted September 20, 2004 Author Share Posted September 20, 2004 i feed them a diet consising entirely of OSI spiralina pellets supplemented with frozen brine shrimp once or twice a week. I have had them all since fry and have never fed them any colour enhancing foods. I wish i had a photo so i could show you all. cheers VC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazimbwe Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Try a change from the Sriulina, if the smudges bother you, and see if that makes a difference. I think High protein diets will also have a similar effect. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiona Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Yes I reckon it's the spirulina. I only got it when they matured. I get it more when I'm feeding them that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sez ianchello Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 iv have the same problem too but i dont feed them any type of flake at all they get feed new life spectrium pellets cause there in with my fronts atm so i dont think that is the spirulina but i do wish i knew what it was cause im sick of seeing them like that also, maybe some of the real cichlid experts that have been in the hobby longer mite know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazimbwe Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 they get feed new life spectrium pellets hmmm...just outta interest, and coz I don't use that food, what is the protien level in the food? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sez ianchello Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 i think it mite be the protein also, new life has34% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batters Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 just my opinion but i dont think its the spirulina or the high protien as their diet in the wild is mainly spirulina which is very high in protien, about 56-62%. i feed mine hbh soft & moist which has a protien value of 45% and dont have any problems. greyish bloches do occour on my females, which change in relation to the aggression between the 3 females, so in this case not related to diet. protiens from meat are a lot harder to digest for a herbivore causing intestinal problems including paracites so the problem may be caused by to much meaty foods instead. possibly poor water quality also. mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.d.m Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 i have a tangerine zebra with the same problem , hasnt spread to any other fish, maybe they get a bit too much bloodworm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeyBoyR Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 And THIS is why I dont post advice, invariably I am wrong hahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFishkeeper Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 Guys, I seem to recall reading in Ad Konings 3rd edition Malawi Cichlids in their Natural Habitat that it is not uncommon in the lake for dominant mbuna females to hold territories and show paler versions of male colouration. I have a large breeding colony of Saulosi myself and the colour, markings & colour intensity of various females often changes on a fairly constant diet. Cheers, Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious Camel Posted September 22, 2004 Author Share Posted September 22, 2004 doug, my colony of saulosi is quite big too (all up around 15 fish) and i have also observed what you have described. Sometimes, the larger more dominant females will show a little male colouration, however, that's not what i am referring too in this instance. It appears just as fiona described: like you've taken a toothbrush, dipped it in paint and flicked it at them! very strange cheers VC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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