Ammonia Burn

Fish waste contains ammonia, and if it builds up too much in the tank, fish fins and gills can actually be burned by the caustic chemical. See the links below for a discussion of Ammonia Burn.

External Links

Black Spots

I want to add my observations about black areas or black spots on Blood Parrot Cichlids. I observed that these areas had to do with injuries from other fish or habits of these fish.
For example: trying to fit into a tight nest. These black areas are healed, at least by my experience, without any aid. If they persist, try to find the reason of injury. I don't know if this is caused after an injury because of fungus, bacterial infection or a reaction of the self defense system of the fish because I can't do a biopsy, but in most cases, this is not a significant illness.

George

With my Blood Parrots I've noticed the black spots when the water starts to get dirty, as soon as i do a 20% water change the spots disappear within 24 hours. I've only had the black spots appear when i've been late to do my regular water change.
Cas

I have noticed black spots on mine when they are unhappy,if my PH is off, they are fighting a lot, or my tank needs cleaned. Also, if the water temperature is not right they get spots. When I first got my two BP's they were in a 12 gallon tank. One of them, his name is Jewel, was getting black spots all over is face and fins, and he just sat in the cave that I build them, all day. I thought he was sick so I got some fungus medication for him, no change in the spots. While they were living in this 12 gallon tank, I was preparing and cycling their new tank, a 55 gallon set up just the way BP's like it. After the cycle was finished I moved the two fish to their new home, they loved it! About 24 hours after the move, the black spots were 100% gone! The colors of both the fish became much brighter and more beautiful.
After the one that had spots, Jewel, got use to the new tank he became very aggressive and started picking on the other one, Cracker, chasing her around and kicking her out of the caves. Soon after Jewel was making Cracker’s life miserable, Cracker started getting black spots all over her body. They eventually learned to like each other and now they are even trying to mate, but what I have learned about these spots is, it is a way for them to communicate when something is off in their environment. If you see these spots, check your water, check your temperature, check the tank…then watch to see how your fish is interacting with it’s tank mates….something is probably wrong.

Brian

Dyed Fish

Contents

• 1 Everything about dyed fish
• 2 The dying process
• 3 Black spots
• 4 External Links

Everything about dyed fish
Here is some information on dyed fish that novice parrot keepers may want to know. Jelly bean parrots are almost always dyed. Any fish with a candy or fruity sounding name, such as mixed berry tetras, are dyed fish. These are fish whose colors do not appear naturally in the animal world.
Fluorescent colors such as bright green, bright pink, blue, purple, etc. are not natural. These fish have been dyed in a process that first strips them of their protective slime coat. This is done by dipping the fish in acid. When the slime coat is removed they are then injected with dye with needles. Sometimes they are just injected with color, other times they have tattoo-like designs or patterns. This procedure is very dangerous and many fish die from it. The strong ones that survive may have shorter lives or damaged internal organs.

The dying process
The dying process is senseless and painful. The fish will eventually lose their dyed color and turn a natural color that they should be anyway. Dying is inhumane and senseless torture to the fish since the color will be lost anyway. Normal parrot fish colors are light yellow, orange or deep red. Baby parrots start out a dull grayish green color and some have stripes. They look much like a very small green severum, except for their hump back. As the fish matures, the color will start to look like it is disappearing. You will see some areas that look like their is no color. Sometimes the fins will look clear or slightly tinted. Irregular marks will appear with no color or a yellow, orange, or red. This will continue until eventually all the dark areas are gone. Some parrots will turn yellow, and then orange.

Black spots
Sometimes your parrot will look like he has "black spots". This will appear and disappear as your fish is changing color. Your fish is not sick, he is just not sure what color he is yet. Make sure to keep your water clean so your fish are healthy.

External Links
How Fish Are Dyed[1]
How Parrots' Tails Are Docked[2]

Normal Coloration changes

Parrot Cichlids, like many other cichlids, start life with black and gray stripes. As time goes on, they begin changing color, in a similar manner to Red Devils, their ancestors. A wonderful series of photos illustrating the change can be seen here:

Dinkie & Sabbath, June 12	Sabbath, June 6	Sabbath, June 25	Sabbath, June 29
Sabbath, July 19	Sabbath, July 20	Sabbath, July 21	Sabbath, July 21
Sabbath, July 22	Sabbath, July 23	Sabbath, July 24	Sabbath, July 25
Sabbath, July 25	Sabbath, July 26	Sabbath, July 27	Sabbath, July 29
Sabbath, July 30	Sabbath, July 31	Sabbath, Aug 1	Sabbath, Aug 2
Sabbath, Aug 3	Sabbath, Aug 4	Sabbath, Aug 5	Sabbath, Aug 6
Sabbath, Aug 7	Sabbath, Aug 8	Sabbath, Aug 8	Sabbath, Aug 10
Dinkie and Sabbath, Dec 7	Dinkie and Sabbath, Dec 7

Many thanks to Macoy for the photos!