Is this normal?

Hey guys I have a Malawi setup and I just notice this on one of my fish. Is this white colouration around the mouth normal or is it some sort of sickness that I need to treat?

Advice appreciated

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It may have swum into something, or locked jaws with another fish. If your water conditions are good, it will heal on its own in a few days.

 

Do you have some salt in the water?

 

Thanks border I did a water change today so I'll wait and see.

CFT I don't have any salt in the water.. Should I?

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After a lot of reading I believe that Cichlids (Malawi) tanks should have salt (not iodised table salt) in them. help with a lot of skin layer issues, healing of damage, etc. Something to the level of 200g/100l is good. Always top up tank with pure water (without salt) before water changes and add this same ration of salt to water used for water changes.
Let's hear what some others say?
Regards.

 

That sounds like it would help with some skin issues. I guess it won't hurt to add a little bit. What salt should you use specifically?

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Buy coarse salt from lfs or co-op. About R20 / 5 kgs if I recall correctly.

 

you can use normal table salt if you cant find coarse salt

The iodine content is minimal and you would have to 'pickle' your fish before the iodine became a problem

I have used table salt numerous times with no problem

 

Not to debate the issue - 200g/100l is a recommendation from Ad Konings & others and is very far away from creating brackish water. I will stick to this.
Regards.