Black spots on bottom of cichlids?

**Bigge3415** · 07-05-2012, 11:52 AM

I have had these black spots for a while now. Its not on all my fish but it is in 2 different tanks (my 125g display, and my 55g grow out). The 125g is a newer tank but never lost cycle when I up graded from my 55g. I only went through a slight mini cycle on my 55g. Fish have had these spots before I moved them into larger tank. Fish are perfectly fine other that occasional flashing.

Tank background both have pool filter sand/crushed coral for the substrate. 125g stays at 80°, the 55g is always at 76°. Ammonia and nitrite always 0 in both tanks, nitrate never above 40 in 125g, 20 in 55g. Do 50-60% wc weekly in both tanks. The research I have done all I can come up with is black ich (spots are not raised), and something called spirulina spots (this is a possibility considering most cichlid food has that in it)

Here are some pics.

**ScottishFish** · 07-05-2012, 01:48 PM

What species of fish is it they are on? I'm not an familiar with the species in the pics so that's why I'm asking

**Bigge3415** · 07-05-2012, 02:39 PM

That is an xmas fulu in the pic. I also have demasoni and afro cheweres with spots under them. However I have some yellow labs and a Taiwan reef that seem to be fine except for some flashing every once in a while.

**Bigge3415** · 07-06-2012, 01:06 AM

No suggestions?

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-06-2012, 02:31 AM

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/com...a/aa041701.htm

Same thing as you saw but I don't know about this flashing. That is really the signs of parasitic activity so I just don't know. I think I'd have to treat them for parasites just because of the flashing. I do know as I like the alternative of just doing nothing.

**Bigge3415** · 08-22-2012, 02:08 AM

I'm still fighting these spots. I don't know what it could be. Its not black ich the spots are not raised they are just random shaped small black spots. There now on almost every fish in the tank. They are also in my 55g fry tank. I have researched for ever trying to figure it out but nothing seems to help. My male fulu got a sore on his eye a few Weeks ago and I had to put him in my quarantine tank and treated with melfix for a week and the spots disappeared. I don't know if it was the medication or the different tank. I wonder if out has anything to do with the substrate (crushed coral/pool filter sand).