Dirty Type Marks On My Fishes Lips! Help!

[JakTheFlipper]

Hi everyone. I need some help with a problem i am having with a couple of my fish. The fish in question are Parrot fish. I have 6 in a 4 ft tank. I aquired the tank only 4 days or so ago. I bought the tank & fish from a friend of mine and so, had to completely re-set up the tank in my home. Before they arrived, i set up a temporary tank (v small) using half of their own water and half tap water, i treated the water accordingly to the aquatic centres advice and after 3 days, i introduced the fish to their temporary home. They were in there for 2 days until their own tank arrived and was set up. I used all of their own water and after a couple of hours put them in the tank. i couldnt leave them in the small tank any longer as they would have killed each other! Over the past 2 days i have noticed that 2 of the fish are showing signs of 'dirty' looking marks. One has it only around his mouth, the other has it around his mouth, and scattered across his body! It looks almost like they have been rubbing up against something that is dirty. Also, the biggest of the fish is being rather aggressive towards the others, ie, butting them and sucking them! My friend says he has always done this but not as much as he has started to in my house. Could this have something to do with him bullying them or is it another problem altogether??
Thanks in advance!
jak

 

[SamUK]

one of the problems is 6 parrots in one tank.


i think 2 is probably how many your meant to have.


how big are they??

 

[JakTheFlipper]

one of the problems is 6 parrots in one tank.


i think 2 is probably how many your meant to have.


how big are they??

Hi sam, i have 2 that are approx 5 inches long, the others are vary between 3-4 inches. They have all been together in the one tank for 16 months now, and my friend has nevr had a problem with them.
jak

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Do the marks look bloody at all underneif the skin do you know? Did you acclimatise the fish to the tank before putting them in, and if so, how did you go about it and how long did you do it for ?

 

[JakTheFlipper]

Do the marks look bloody at all underneif the skin do you know? Did you acclimatise the fish to the tank before putting them in, and if so, how did you go about it and how long did you do it for ?

Hi, no the marks dont look bloody underneath. I was told to float their bags for about half an hour, which is what i did, then i introduced them to the water.

JAK

 

[FroggFrogg]

I keep parrotts and have experienced 'dirty marks' on my fish. Mine get patches like those described if they are stressed. Just like when they got moved to their new tank. It usually dissapears as quickly as it comes...

 

[WILDER]

The dirty brown marks do they look like a dusting or fluffy appearance, as it could be velvet or columnaris.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

I keep parrotts and have experienced 'dirty marks' on my fish. Mine get patches like those described if they are stressed. Just like when they got moved to their new tank. It usually dissapears as quickly as it comes...

thanks for that, i hope it is a minor problem and will go away. im just a bit concerned about the big one bullying them, i thought matbe he had somethi g to do with it.
jak

The dirty brown marks do they look like a dusting or fluffy appearance, as it could be velvet or columnaris.

No, they are black/grey coloured, its definately getting worse though. its starting on thier lips and one has it all underneath him in speckles and a few on his tail.

I keep parrotts and have experienced 'dirty marks' on my fish. Mine get patches like those described if they are stressed. Just like when they got moved to their new tank. It usually dissapears as quickly as it comes...

thanks for that, i hope it is a minor problem and will go away. im just a bit concerned about the big one bullying them, i thought matbe he had somethi g to do with it.
jak

The dirty brown marks do they look like a dusting or fluffy appearance, as it could be velvet or columnaris.

No, they are black/grey coloured, its definately getting worse though. its starting on thier lips and one has it all underneath him in speckles and a few on his tail.

Ive tried to take few pics to try and explain it better:

 

[WILDER]

Do the patches look slimey, any other sign like flicking and rubbing, or increased breathing, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.

Here is abit of info for you but im not the author of it.

Black Patches



Symptoms:

Black patches, smudges, smears, spots or markings that suddenly appear and are not natural colorings.



Cause:

These markings are the result of skin cell damage. Black markings often appear in areas where the skin has been damaged by ammonia burns, bacterial infections, parasitic infestations, and injuries. These markings are often seen on fish just after a new tank has completed ?cycling,? due to the high ammonia levels. These marks are also common in African Cichlids, especially around the mouth. These are scabs that have come from digging in the gravel or from fighting.



Treatment:

No treatment is necessary. Much like scabs, the blackened areas are a sign that the healing process has already begun. Keep water in top condition and the areas will gradually fade in less than a couple of weeks.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

Do the patches look slimey, any other sign like flicking and rubbing, or increased breathing, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.

just doin that now,
PH is 7.0
AMMONIA is 1.2

post the other 2 in a min when done.

 

[WILDER]

I would put the marks down to poor water quality, how long has the tank been set up as ammonia reading should be 0, i would do a water change, like to look at the others stats.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

I would put the marks down to poor water quality, how long has the tank been set up as ammonia reading should be 0, i would do a water change, like to look at the others stats.

NITITE- 1.6
NITRATE 110 ish.

friday just gone, the tank was set up, 3/4 of the water was their own and we filled the other 1/3 with tap water. i immediately added nutrafin cycle and aqua plus. The readings were the same with the nitrate/nitrite but the ph and ammonia have improved. i have added another capful of both again this evening.

 

[WILDER]

How many fish are in the tank plus which type, sadly if you use fish to cycle a tank there is no gurantee they will survive, i would do a water change, but they are not cycling fish, even the tougher fish don't always survive.

 

[JakTheFlipper]

How many fish are in the tank plus which type, sadly if you use fish to cycle a tank there is no gurantee they will survive, i would do a water change, but they are not cycling fish, even the tougher fish don't always survive.

There are 6 parrotts in the tank. If i do a water change now, will it not make the problem worse as its only just had one on friday? i dont want to lose any fish and am quite upset at the prospect because i do love them!
how do i get the nitrate/nitrite levels right?/

 

[WILDER]

Yes do a water change the stats are high, increase aeration as well.Good luck.

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling.htm

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm