A club for owners of Parrot Cichlids

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