What's up with his mouth?

[Luke3141]

I am fairly new to apistos. I have had them for less than a year. I noticed today that my male seems to have black spots at the edges of his mouth. At first I thought it was just coloration that I had failed to notice, but on looking closer it looks like sand. I also looked back at old pictures and it was not there.

My questions are:

1. Is it sand/ is it something to be concerned about?
2. Is there something I should do about it?

What he looked like before:

What he looks like now:

Thanks in advance. Y'all are the best!

 

[MacZ]

Impossible to tell from the pictures, sorry.

As long as the fish eats and doesn't show any signs of problems just keep observing.

 

[Yvonne G]

I see what you're talking about, but sorry to say, I don't know what it is. Does it seem to bother him? Does he dash at the substrate trying to rub it off?

 

[Luke3141]

I see what you're talking about, but sorry to say, I don't know what it is. Does it seem to bother him? Does he dash at the substrate trying to rub it off?

It doesn't seem to bother him so I haven't done anything. Plus I don't know what I would do anyways. But I thought I would check and see if anyone had ideas.

 

[Mike Wise]

Since the spots are located symmetrically on both sides of the mouth it is unlikely to be a parasite.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Since the spots are located symmetrically on both sides of the mouth it is unlikely to be a parasite.

I'd guess it is just part of the ageing process. He looks quite an old fish now.

cheers Darrel

 

[MacZ]

Hi all,

I'd guess it is just part of the ageing process. He looks quite an old fish now.

cheers Darrel

Very true.

 

[Luke3141]

Update: I have continued monitoring. Occasionally the spots will go away on one or both sides for up to a day. Then they come back. I think this is my substrate which is Petco black sand (not super fine), getting stuck when filter feeding. It doesn't seem to be a big deal as it works out eventually, but I am planning to try to find some finer sand. Any suggestions for good quality fine sand?

 

[Ben Rhau]

Most people use pool filter sand, which is the cheapest if you’re picking it up yourself. Sometimes this is pretty course, though. Play sand also works. If you’re having it shipped, you can often find the Caribsea sands for a decent price. Both “Sunset Gold” and “Moonlight” are very fine.