Black under scales

[BettaMomma]

Lucky has some black stuff under his scales in the same spot on both sides of his body:

Anyone know what this is?
I think he's always had it, just wondered what it might be.
Both Charlie and Jack have some of it too, it seems pretty common in red fish.
Just wondered what it is.

 

[Raechal]

Cotton Candy has a few of them on one of his sides. He has a pinkish body though. He's had it since I've had him and is 100% healthy so I assumed it was just the way he was. None of my other boys have it though.

 

[eudielynn]

Don't know about the black spots, but just look at that tail!!!!

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah Raech - several of mine have that too, so I assumed it was okay - but just thought I would check. Must be normal

And aww yeah, how bout that tail?
It's so cute he turns around and looks at it while he wiggles it.
I think he's super proud of it.
lol

 

[black angel]

google malanophore migration. Its very common for goldfish to get,but all fish can get this too.
Maybe its just a natural colour change, but hes a lovely betta

 

[BettaMomma]

Wow - interesting info! Thanks black angel!

Here's a copy and paste of the info on that stuff:

"Science bit:
Within the (melanin) cell resides thousands of granules of pigment. This is how fish and more commonly amphibians change colour to evade predators. They are stimulated by adrenalin; migrate to the center of the cell, and thus lightening the colour of the skin tissue. The cell can also disperse the pigment making a darker colouration. The pigments can also be agitated by other chemicals in the body. Black Pigment cells (ormelanophores) respond to the presence of Leukine (a chemical used to attract fibroblasts, the cells used to repair damaged tissue.) Consequently the containing cell goes black, rather than just darker or lighter when the pigment migrates.

Symptoms:
Often a paling of the skin followed by black patches on body, usually on back or sides of fish.

Cause:
Usually from a chemical or traumatic irritant or injury, due to:

• An ammonia surge (irritation)
• low pH (irritation)
• Fluke infestation (trauma)
• Ick or costia infection (trauma)
• Certain Medications (irritation).

I.e. If you bring a fish home from the LFS that has been kept in poor water conditions, and your tank water is far better, the black spots will appear as the fish heals.

Time frame:
Black spots come up over a period of 1-2 weeks, and after approx 7 days begin to fade, returning the fish to its normal colour. The black colouring appears as the fish heals, so its appearance is normally a sign that conditions have improved. Within 3 to 6 weeks the fish should be returned to normal colouration."


It seems like it makes sense - the black stuff seems to get worse as they come to live with me (most of these fish have come from WalMart - big surprise that the get this after they get in the water I provide for them UUGH). Apparently it comes out darker as their water conditions improve and doesn't start up until they're healing - so it's a very good thing! So I guess eventually it will get lighter, or go away according to that website.

Thanks again b.a.!
Mystery solved!

 

[black angel]

Glad to have helped. It's nice to know that the fish are healing after you get them. Just shows the damage of keeping them in cups does.

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah. It's pretty sad.
I'm just glad it is from something good and not something bad. I was pretty convinced it was something I was doing wrong.

 

[Raechal]

Yeah. It's pretty sad.
I'm just glad it is from something good and not something bad. I was pretty convinced it was something I was doing wrong.

Yay. I checked Cotton Candy again and he seems to have a few patches of them. But they're pretty small. I can't really type because my hands are all slippery and wet from just doing water changes. Hmm.. 7 tanks in 20 minutes! That must be a world record or something.

 

[BettaMomma]

Dang!
You are fast - nice work!!
lol

 

[black angel]

is there a pinned topic of this anywhere? if not then i think it should be as it would be a shame for it to disappear.

 

[Raechal]

Whew all of the tanks are done. All 9 or 10 of them...I lost count after I got my third betta.

 

[BettaMomma]

is there a pinned topic of this anywhere? if not then i think it should be as it would be a shame for it to disappear.

I completely agree.
I think I will PM wuv and see if she would consider it.
I know i've wondered about it for quite a while and it was a tad bit discouraging because I thought they were getting worse/sick because of it when actually it's the opposite.