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Maybe those black spots are neither parasite nor melanoma (as suggested by ApistoDave in another thread) but simply a way to store excess DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine). Fish make DOPA from the amino acids alanine and phenylalanine, and use it in a variety of body functions including nerve signals and production of thyroid hormones. DOPA is also one of the steps in making melanin, and I think fish can convert melanin back to DOPA if they need to. Maybe something about the water chemistry in Peru or content of alanine and phenylalanine in their food causes these fish to make extra melanophore cells to store excess DOPA. I'm just guessing ...
Jeff (aquaticclarity) and other folks reported they've had black-spotted wild-caught Peruvian fish live long normal lives and never lose the spots, and it never spread to their fry or to other fish in the tank.
There may also be contagious and non-contagious diseases with black spots as a symptom. I'm not saying that ALL black spots are harmless. Several kinds of fluke parasites can cause black spots in the skin, but they are not transmitted from fish to fish. The spots on Tuna's Apisto below look like normal melanin pigment in abnormal places; probably not "disease".
quote="tuna, post: 68708, member: 4153"][/IMG]
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These apistos were wild caught from Peru as adults and lived almost 4 more years and the fry never exhibited the spots.[/quote]
Jeff (aquaticclarity) and other folks reported they've had black-spotted wild-caught Peruvian fish live long normal lives and never lose the spots, and it never spread to their fry or to other fish in the tank.
There may also be contagious and non-contagious diseases with black spots as a symptom. I'm not saying that ALL black spots are harmless. Several kinds of fluke parasites can cause black spots in the skin, but they are not transmitted from fish to fish. The spots on Tuna's Apisto below look like normal melanin pigment in abnormal places; probably not "disease".
quote="tuna, post: 68708, member: 4153"][/IMG]
These apistos were wild caught from Peru as adults and lived almost 4 more years and the fry never exhibited the spots.[/quote]