AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish). Please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. I keep fishes both as a scientist and as a hobbyist and I currently maintain about 140 aquariums.
Experience I am an Assistant Professor at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Question Hi Ron, no golfish questions here...lol. I have a tank full of cichlids. Recently I have noticed one of my yellow labs head is turning black on just one side...it almost looks rotten or more like it was rubbed with charcoal. It's behaviour seems normal and no other fish in the tank are showing it...any ideas as to what it could be or could it just be its marking? I can email you a pic if you'd like.
Thank you,
Aaron
Answer Hi Aaron,
If it is just one side, e.g., the left side of the head, then this usually indicated nerve damage. I have seen this on various other cichlids before, sometimes it is the head, sometimes the back quadrant of the body, but the telltale symptom is that it is only on one side. It doesn't seem to affect them much but it is very interesting.
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
