Sick Yellow Lab Cichlid! Please help!

[Fishyfanatic]

I have a Yellow Lab Cichlid that is starting to get small black spots on his side. What could this be? He's not getting picked on so what could it be? I've tried taking pics but he swims too fast and I can't get a clear shot.

[xray]

When they reach sexual maturity the males get dark stripes. Maybe its the start of those. Are the spots in a pattern or random.

[Menagerie]

If it looks like he's been in a coal mine, what are you feeding?

[Fishyfanatic]

Are the spots in a pattern or random

They aren't in a pattern of any kind. They are basically random.

If it looks like he's been in a coal mine, what are you feeding?

We've been feeding a range of stuff from Tubiflex, Freeze Dried Bloodworms, Frozen Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp Flakes, frozen brine shrimp, Cichlid flakes, Small Cichlid pellets, and occasionally a baby shrimp as a treat (maybe once a week). We don't feed all of this at one time, usually one day its bloodworms and a couple flakes, the next day Brine shrimp and pellets. They absolutely love them. I've heard that it's better to feed a variety of things to the fish. Is this wrong?

Also, on a side note, I've noticed one of our Johanni's has been doing some excavation. Funny thing is, none of our cichlid's have ever "redecorated" our tank like I've heard they would. On Monday he/she started digging a hole by picking up sand in his/her mouth and forming a mound of sand to the side. It's funny to watch. Is this normal or is it a sign of something? I know that Cichlid's by nature will redecorate, but they haven't ever done it before. Maybe I'm just being too cautious but I've grown quite attached to my fish. We've had most of them since they were about an inch long and they are all, except for the parrots, about to reach their full growth.

[xray]

Your cichlids have grown up and are starting to make houses of there own. Its very natural. It means they are happy and healthy.

[Fishyfanatic]

I have an adult Yellow Lab Cichlid that has developed black spots on his sides and fins. I don't know what could possibly be wrong. It just developed last week and I asked the [acronym:e1367f7764="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:e1367f7764] but they said not to worry about it (I don't trust them). The yellow lab is in the 55 [acronym:e1367f7764="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e1367f7764] tank (tankmates below) and has not been picked on. The tank has been set up for about a year now without problems. We had a bad case of ick about 8 months ago but we didn't have him yet. Right now we are using a Cascade 1000 Canister Filtration System, not sure on the [acronym:e1367f7764="Gallons per hour"]gph[/acronym:e1367f7764]. I just did a weekly water change on Monday and barely vac'd the sand. We normally do about 25% water changes. Nothing new has been added to the tank to cause this problem. I'm not exactly sure on the Nitrate, but our Ammonia is 0, Nitrite is 0, Temp is 79.6, and pH is at 7.0 (about to add Crushed Coral to it tonight to raise it to 7.8 where most Cichlid's prefer).

What could be wrong with my fish? The spots are not in any pattern, just random. Can anyone help me?

[Menagerie]

Hmmm, didn't I post before?

Does the fish look like it has been in a coal mine? What are you feeding it?

[Fishyfanatic]

Yes Menagerie, you did ask those questions before and I replied but I haven't gotten anything in response. I am feeding the cichlids a variety of things, Tubiflex, Frozen/Freeze Dried Blood Worms, Flake/Frozen Brine Shrimp, Cichlid Pellets, and Tropical Flake. I try to do a variety, one day Blood Worms, next day Shrimp. He's not completly covered in black, just spotted, very small spots.

[Fishyfanatic]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewto...220&highlight=

[Fishyfanatic]

I'm glad to hear that. Just this morning I looked into the tank and noticed that the Auratus started digging a hole under our cave. It's so funny watching the Johanni on the right side of the tank and the Auratus on the left, swimming down, taking a mouthful of sand, swimming up and spitting it out. Although, the Auratus hit glass tonight. I'm thinking of covering the hole up and letting her start again.