MarkLB Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hi all. I got 4 Metriaclima estherae, Red Zebra, a while back and one had a black smudge on its forehead and face when I got it. I thought it may have been diet related and may fade but it hasn't. What causes this? Someone told me ages ago that the males have it. True or not? Or is it caused by too much inbreeding? I know some E.yellows can show a 'shadow' on the face because of indiscriminate breeding. The other 3 fish , and the older one that I already had, are clean and brighter. This is with flash and makes it look worse than it is.... Without flash..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 my red zebs have developed small dark blotches when i ahve feed them spirulina based foods, it did fade after several weeks of not feeding them that type of food. your pics look more like they have rubbed themselves on something dirty, are they brown nosers when i comes to feeding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 my red zebs have developed small dark blotches when i ahve feed them spirulina based foods, it did fade after several weeks of not feeding them that type of food. your pics look more like they have rubbed themselves on something dirty, are they brown nosers when i comes to feeding? Hi smidey. I know what you mean about the spirulina. I had some dots on a Red Zeb earlier this year and posted pics. You correctly identified the problem then and I fixed it up by changing the diet, so that won't be the cause this time. It is a bit of a brown noser. It's trying to get my attention now, but then again they all are :lol: Feed us....feed us...feeed us :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 i see a bit of brown algae on the coral in the first pick, i'd be looking to see if that could be the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant N Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 I have brown algae too, never been an issue. Birthmark maybe? Might be sign to introduce new genes into breeding stock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Thats not algae That particular rock is just that colour in places and the flash makes it stand out. The 'no flash' pic is actually the same rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 One way to tell is the eyes. Red zeba should have red eyes. If it's a cross it may still have the red, but if it doesn't, then you know for sure. I personally haven't seen a red zeb with black/brown markings like that... but who knows? Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surveyor Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 it's cross breeding.I had some of them it’s very difficult go back to correct line you need at least 3 generations so don’t west time for it ( I have clean line after 1.5y) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Thanks to everyone for your input. Red zeba should have red eyes. If it's a cross it may still have the red, but if it doesn't, then you know for sure. The eyes are saying it's a cross. They are black. All my other Red Zebs have red eyes. Smudgey..... One of my other Reds So I guess it's bye bye Smudgey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted August 22, 2008 Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 Poor Smudgey... The thing is, you probably wouldn't of wanted to breed from him/her anyway. Would make for an interesting display fish. Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted August 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2008 The next time I strip the tank Smudgeys outta there. He/she spoils the look a little and I don't want to create any crosses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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