Black Beard on Long Horn Cowfish?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've had a long horn cowfish for over a year now, and he seems to be doing fine.

In the past few weeks he has developed what can best be described as a beard. It is a 2 mm black/dark brown flap that extends from one side of his mouth, around the bottom ofhis mouth,and back up the other side. It extends outward from his skin. It is perfectly symmetric and not ragged.

Is that normal? Has it matured, or something?

Is it a disease?

I can post a pic if folks have not seen this before.
TIA

 

[xdusty6920]

please do post a pic i had one for years and didnt ever have any kinda of growth like that at any point.

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

Randy, yes by all means please post a pik...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, no one in our familiy ever noticed it before, but in looking at old photos, it was there even in Feb 2005 and also in May 2005 when I took this picture, so I guess it isn't a progressive disease.

and here's a current picture: