Cichlid Is Really Sick

[tigerstar]

I have her in quorentine right now but I think what ever she had the rest of the tank would have by now as well. I started to notice about a week ago that she preferred to be at the bottom. At that time a lot of the fish did too because we found we had an ammonia problem which we are very close to having under control with water changes and ammo tablets by jungle. Besides the ammonia problem everything has been normal in the tank. I was waiting till i got paid to be able to buy them a bigger tank because I know that this one is overstocked with 14 cichlids in total as well as one pleco. Any help at all would be appreciated.

 

[tigerstar]

It looks like her scales are falling off now. I'm really worried. Any help at all that can be given would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WILDER]

How high was the ammonia reading as it can take it's toll on a fish, causing ammonia burns and ill health.Bless her she dosn't look to good.Look under ammonia poisoning.http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/...moniapoison.htm

 

[tigerstar]

It hit about 8 ppm. Is there anyway to help her? and if she is sick from this (which seems very likely) is it alright to keep her with the rest as they are already sick as well?

 

[WILDER]

As long as she not stressed keep her with the others.
Bad water quality can cause a fish immune system to shut down, its not looking good for her sorry, it just takes it toll on the fish.

 

[tigerstar]

Its hard. I've been waiting to get them a bigger tank because they just multiplied outta no where, and I don't know if I'll get enough money for one this paycheck. My only other option is to put some in with a mating pair that has a Giant Danio in with them but they really don't like new fish. *sigh* Thanks for the help though. Lets see if I can work any magic.

 

[WILDER]

Been here with my sister.
She bought some fancy and common goldfish and what a nightmare.
I ended up taking them off her hands as she had them in a 6 gallon tank.
I lost three of them but managed to save one and had him 3 and half years, but not long enough.
They died through poor water quality bless them.

 

[tigerstar]

I got them threw a lady in the news paper and she said she had had them for like 2 years and she has had no problems with them. They have been in the same tanks as well and the only thing I have done different is I added an air stone.

 

[WILDER]

Post here to see if they can help more.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=28

 

[borissimo]

I can sympathise - my malawi cichlids kept breeding and growing bigger and whilst I was intending to get them a bigger tank (the one they were in wasn't that old) I had a disaster and they all died. To be honest the fish in all three of my tanks are growing bigger and I could do with buying bigger tanks for all of them but they are already in 220 - 290 litre tanks and the bigger ones are even more £££ / $$$ !!

I hope your cichlid recovers.

 

[tigerstar]

The fish I posted the picture of seems to be doing better. She is in a tank with some smaller fish which, surprisingly, she is getting along with. We think it is because she is pretty small herself. We got a new 20 Gal. tank. (Thank goodness for mom and dad!!!!) and are getting it set up for them as we speak. This week-end is all about the fish!

 

[WILDER]

Good luck tigerstar.

 

[tigerstar]

Thanks Wilder!

 

[Leeza]

DID YOU CHANGE THE WATER? REMEMBER TO FIRST GET THE TEMPERATURE OF THE NEW WATER THE SAME AS THE WATER IN THE TANK) THIS WORKED FOR ME AND ALSO CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK. HOW'S YOUR FISHES DOING? DID THEY SURVIVE?

 

[tigerstar]

All have survived! Olive, as the very sick one is now known, is doing so well. We transfered her to another tank that we know we had everything under control in and she has now made it her new home. The only bad thing is it looks like she will be blind in that eye for good now. The other fish are doing so much better as well too! All are happy and recovering. ty for the concern!