Red Zebras with black spots

[KCCichlid]

I Have seven Red zebras and 2 have spots. One of the larger ones started out with one spot on its side, now it has several small spots in a group the size of a pencil eraser. The smaller fish has about six spots all over the body and fins.

All seven have egg spots and six are bright orange and one more of a peach color. I can't tell what the sex of any of them.

What are these spots and what should I do whith them?

[aharris]

Can you be more specific as to what the spots look like? Are they regular, irregular, etc.

Have you noticed any cahnges in your fish's behavior? Are they eating? Are they bloated? Are they being picked on?

[KCCichlid]

Their behavior and everything else is normal. The spots are irregular in shape and size.

[ReesaPie]

my red zebra has a black spot on him, up near his left eye that covers almost his whole side of his face. I think it's normal coloring from what i've seen on others. He's always had this and he's healthy. I've seen other red zebras with spots at the petstore i work at as well.

let me know is this is indeed normal

[SGypsyMermaid]

there are red zebras with black blotches(normal). there is also a parasitic disease called black spot which causes black spots on the fins and bodies of fish...it doesn't seem to harm the fish.

[JonZeigler]

OK! I am going to give you my opinion, and I have had Red Zebras for about 4 years now. If the fish seem to be doing well, then there souldn't be any reason to worry. I seen them with the black spots before. It might be a female. I have notice that the female usually has many little tiny spots on her tail as opposed to have a few inconspicuous egg spots. It's still hard to tell.

[merlyn2221]

In my experience, if the fish does not have the disease "black spot" then the black spotting is a throwback of a color morph of the Red Zebra. Females seem to display these spots more than males, but I have seen some males with them too.
The only true way to sex the fish if you aren't sure is to vent it.

[KCCichlid]

Update:

I let the fish go in my neighbors outdoor pond around the first of July. I didn't know if it would make it, but it seemed slightly better than the flush.

I just caught the fish and the black spots are gone and it is doing better than in the tank.

[cichlidaddict]

umm....is everyone overlooking the fact that these cichlids are hybrids ? 2 with the black spots are probably Ob's, and the other 5 (if purchased same time from same tank @ the same store) are 80% probable hybrids also, post a pic that way you will know for sure .