Firemouth with purple on its lips

[hefeweisse]

Is it normal for a cichlid to have a purple coloration sporadically form on its lips? Every once in a while my firemouth's lips partially turn dark purple (almost splotchy). It has happened off and on since I've had him. I was wondering if anyone has ever seen this happen to other cichlids and if it is normal. If not, what can cause this to happen?

[skullduggery1]

are you sure it is a firemouth or another Thorichthys,as some have just slight differences.It is common for some species to have lip issues as they become gravel,decor movers.Just see if it progresses any worse than it is.

[Cliff]

Does your firemouth look like this:

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[hefeweisse]

To skullduggery1: I'm 99.9% sure it's a meeki. What does the gravel moving do to the lips that causes them to have issues? He has been moving gravel a lot more over the last 6 months or so (I figure because he is more mature and trying to form a nest), although I think I noticed the lip thing sooner than that. Here is a picture of him while he has the discolored lips:

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It's strange though because they don't usually stay that color for a long period of time. Also, this picture was taken while he was sick (new addition gave my tank ich a few weeks back), but the lip thing comes out at random, even when he otherwise appears to be fine. Although I'm starting to wonder if it is somehow stress induced.

[Cassandra]

sorry I dont know anything about cichlids...just wanted to say he is a handsome fellow...good picture!