Black Marks

[Gill]

Hi everyone

Haven't been on this site in quite some time but have a query.

Just bought a Malawi cichlid - Trewavas - he is blue

Lovely colour and happy except he is slowly developing black marks on his face, lips and sides of face. At first they looked like holes - but thankfully they are not, they are like black spots but some are larger smudges.

Could these just be colouration or some kind of bruising as he likes his tunnels and caves?

Or could it be something like water pH or hardness - I have very soft water?

Any ideas gratefully appreciated

 

[Gill]

Just in case any of you were wondering - I changed the ph from 7 to about 8 and made my very soft water harder

Since then his black marks have faded and is looking more like his old self

 

[fufanu360]

good job!
maybe u made it worse and the lines were supposed to be there?