WhatDoesThisFishHave

[maxpowers]

please ........
if anyone even has a guess as to what this is
i would like to hear it
this fish is not otherwise sick
this disease only seems to affect malawi cichlids
fish have dark spots that have been slowly growing for more than a year

[SGypsyMermaid]

do you have pics of any of the other afflicted fish? can you get a better angle?...it's hard to see this one.

[maxpowers]

i lost a few fish, this is the last one with this condition
all the rest are tangynikan and unaffected
eventually this condition opens up the door to bacterial infection
i think its just secondary
heres another pic

[maxpowers]

oops forgot the picture

[SGypsyMermaid]

i've never seen anything quite like it, though i'm guessing that it is a variant of black spot disease. look here: http://www.provet.co.uk/fish/spotsonfish.htm

[merlyn2221]

I tend to agree with Sgypsy's assessment. It certianly would appear to be black spot.

Regardless of whether or not it is, a fish in this condition certainly requires immediate treatment.

[maxpowers]

well ....thats reasonable and i considered that
this fish was treated with everything i could think to try
almost a year and a half ago
this fish is otherwise happy and healthy
thats the wierd part
i tried copper, maracyde, kenacyn, formalin, acriflavine,
salt baths.... on and on
i dont like to use these things and i consider it a last resort
especially on a fish that is otherwise healthy
black spot is supposed to be small (1mm)ish
and is supposed to respond to treatment
i removed the substrate thinking mabye that would affect the parasites lifecycle
nothing has slowed the progression of these spots
and the fish doesnt even seem to mind

[Cichlid_Fan]

It could be a form of velvet, unless black spot is a form of velvet which that I didn't know.

Matt

[Cichlid_Fan]

Myxobacteriosis

Symptoms: Symptoms may include black patches on the body and fins. The body may become bloated or swollen in some areas.

Treatment: As far as I know, there is only one medication designed specifically for myxobacteriosis--Phenocide by Aquatronics.

Information: This infection is rather uncommon but fairly easy to treat. Its probability is intensified by overcrowding and poor water quality with high levels of ammonia and / or nitrites.

Black Spot

Symptoms: Small black specks on the body.

Treatment: Black spot is generally easy to cure. There are a number of commercially available treatments and preventatives.

Information: Black Spot, or diplopstomiasis, often follows the addition of new aquarium fish. All fish are susceptible, especially the Silver Dollar and Piranha. It is fairly easy to diagnose and treat.

http://www.aqualink.com/disease/sdisease.html#myxo

[ander]

i dont think anything is wrong

[SGypsyMermaid]

Originally posted by Cichlid_Fan
Myxobacteriosis

Symptoms: Symptoms may include black patches on the body and fins. The body may become bloated or swollen in some areas.

Treatment: As far as I know, there is only one medication designed specifically for myxobacteriosis--Phenocide by Aquatronics.

Information: This infection is rather uncommon but fairly easy to treat. Its probability is intensified by overcrowding and poor water quality with high levels of ammonia and / or nitrites.

Black Spot

Symptoms: Small black specks on the body.

Treatment: Black spot is generally easy to cure. There are a number of commercially available treatments and preventatives.

Information: Black Spot, or diplopstomiasis, often follows the addition of new aquarium fish. All fish are susceptible, especially the Silver Dollar and Piranha. It is fairly easy to diagnose and treat.

http://www.aqualink.com/disease/sdisease.html#myxo

looks like you may have found the correct diagnosis.

[maxpowers]

thank you all for the help
and ill try to find some phenocide
hope it works
ill keep you posted