Black marks on my Parrot fish

[Jstratman]

I have a 36-gallon aquarium with 3 parrot fish and a catfish. The tank is only 2 months old and one of the parrot fish have black markings forming that looks like dirt smudges. I am assuming this is some form of algae. I have tested the water and the water looks good. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[charliebankston]

Saltwater parrot fish? Or the cichlids?

 

[Jstratman]

Freshwater Cichiild.

 

[charliebankston]

Oh OK. I currently have one, and in the past have had a couple more. One for over 10 years. I would see their color change, white, orange, red, pink, and occasionally get black marks on fins, face and lips. Prob just normal coloration changes

 

[charliebankston]

Id just watch it for a few days and make sure it doesn't spread or turn into something else. But it's prob just colors. Btw, that's alot of fish for that size tank. Those parrot cichlids get pretty big. My current one is about 8" with a huge head and lateral body

 

[Jstratman]

Yeah I was thinking as they get bigger I may need to get a bigger tank. Thanks for the advice and I will keep an eye on them.