ricoll
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Post by ricoll on Jun 4, 2010 9:07:48 GMT -6
Ever since my summer began I have been able to take better care of my cichlids since my schedule has slowed down. I have been able to do water changes once a week instead of once ever three weeks, gravel vac more, and change/clean my filters more. The week before last some of my cichlids started dying!!! Then yesterday all three of my newest fish died. I have lost my favorite fish and over a hundred dollars, please help.
Ricoll
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Post by davet on Jun 4, 2010 13:21:00 GMT -6
What were the water parameters (chemistry) before and after?
Dave
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angel
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My Husband's A Birdbrain
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Post by angel on Jun 4, 2010 13:40:15 GMT -6
Also, were the new fish there before the dying started? What was the last fish added before the first one died? Any signs of aggression, swelling, cloudy eyes, not eating, hiding, etc? How was their poop?
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ricoll
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Post by ricoll on Jun 4, 2010 14:55:03 GMT -6
The paramaters were better after than before. The dying started before the new fish. There was no sign of any of that. The poop, the day before each died was thinner and whiteish.
Ricoll
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angel
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My Husband's A Birdbrain
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Post by angel on Jun 4, 2010 15:30:28 GMT -6
Thin white poop is either bloat or parasites. Are you sure no new fish came in before it started? If not, it's likely bloat. Have you switched foods or added anything new to their diet? Have they been overeating? Has there been fighting? I've seen the start of bloat from fighting before. They get stressed and things go downhill. Do you have some Clout around?
How long did you have the new ones before they died?
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ricoll
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Post by ricoll on Jun 4, 2010 16:37:14 GMT -6
Yes, I'm positive. I havn't switched or added any new foods. I had the new fish for five days. I wounldn't have ordered them if this were going on when I did, so when they came I had to put them in that tank because it is the only one I have.
Ricoll
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Post by bunnie1978 on Jun 4, 2010 17:00:17 GMT -6
I'm sorry about your losses.
It's possible the change in activity level (more disturbances) could have stressed them out a little more.
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Post by davidtcb1 on Jun 4, 2010 17:03:11 GMT -6
It could be that a dramatic/over cleaning of the filter media shocked the system and thus the fish. Washing biological media too extensively in tap water, or doing a large water change the same day as a thorough cleaning of the filter could be a culprit. But if you were seeing the stringy feces, that's another parasite issue or a combination of all these things.
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Post by jon carman on Jun 4, 2010 21:38:15 GMT -6
It is bloat more than likely. Once one fish gets it, even healthy fish seem to get it. The slightest stress will trigger it. In my experience, it is caused be sudden changes in temp, water parameters(pH or hardness), changes in diet or overfeeding, nitrates, or stress from bullying.
Usually the mbuna or tropheus seem to get it the worst, but all cichlids I have had have got it before. From what you are saying, I would agree with david, that you might have over cleaned, and hurt your biological bacteria.
I clean my filters maybe once every 6 months or so, and I have 2 on my 125 and I only clean 1 at a time. The most I would ever clean a filter is once every 3 months, and that would just be a quick rinse in aquarium water.
To cure, I would use a strong metro bath, metro food, or clout. If you use clout I would set up a hospital tank because it stains the silicone blue.
Call me and I will help you, and you have a credit with me so I will give you any meds you need to call us even if you would like.
615-405-1040
If you don't act quick you might have a tank without fish
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Post by jon carman on Jun 4, 2010 21:39:22 GMT -6
I also have a couple 10g tanks you can borrow or buy.
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