Specifically, it’s dark gray and speckled/patchy, most concentrated on the operculum. Not white salt grains like ich, not golden like velvet. He looks like a small kid who got all mucky playing in the dirt and needs to wash his face, if that makes any sense …. He is spending more time darting in and out of the rocks than his other lap friends but otherwise no real behavioural symptoms. Still eating etc.

Recent changes to the tank: increased lighting strength and photoperiod, added one siamese algae eater (after quarantine of course).

Stocking: 11 species peacocks of various types, 4 yellow laps, 1 SAE, 3 nerite snails.
75G tank, caribsea african cichlid substrate, inert rocks, a few anubias/vall
40G sump static K1, side-plumbing fluidized sand filter
Oxygen: turbulent surface from lilly pipe and two airstones in sump
Disinfection: new 15W UV on return from sump
Food: High protein cichlid juvie food (not changed)

The tank was set up since July (with cycled media from previous tank), fish added as 2 inch juvies in September and up till now have been doing great. A bit of chasing but no fighting as such. They seem to have mixed well.

I am starting on medicated food, but am thinking that will prevent/treat secondary bacterial infections but may not help with an external protozoan.

What to do next? Wait and see? Add copper to the tank (I can move the snails)? Salt bath? I live in Canada so medication options are somewhat limited.

I have some photos I can send if that would help