black faced then death

[Sharpfish]

Does anyone know what causes fish to catch this disease? The fish in question here is an A. hongsloi. Half of the fish's face turned black, the rest the fish lost most of its other colorations. It began swimming in circles or death rolls and subsequently died the following day. Is there an explanation I have seen the a few times over the years in Apistos and even jewel cichlids. The pictures aren't clear as I would like, but the fish was spinning a not really in the mood to co-operate.

 

[freshwaterfishfan]

I've seen it, too

I've seen it before, too. Always fatal. I was told the "black face" (which in the cases I've seen was always unilateral) was a symptom of some kind of severe stress (stroke?). I've noticed it only in South American Dwarfs. Did not seem to be contagious.
Steve

 

[viejo]

It seems to be a manifestation of one or more internal problems ( systemic shock?) & as Steve states, apparently not contagious... I don't believe that have seen it in non-new world cichlids or other fish families.. It seems to be especially common in geophagus types & their relatives. I have never seen a fish recover from it my recollection. I don't recall seeing it in hemichromis & I have bred a LOT of those over the years.