Dead Fish

[medicalert9]

I have a 30 gal. tank that is exclusive to lake malawi cichlids. About 3 days ago one of my Melanochromis Johanni cichlids started to try and swim up the water discharge of the whisper filter in the tank. It did this several times during the day and night, weather the tank light was on or not. I have have been keeping all kinds of tropical fish for 30 years now, and have never seen this kind of behavior. Cichlids are fairly new to me. Can some one tell me if this is normal and perhaps why i found it dead in the tank. I would be grateful for any help considering the cost of these fish, and do not want to lose any more. Thank You

 

[Mr Miagi]

Its said that a fish swimming into the output of a filter is looking for fresh, cleaner water. Are all your params fine?

 

[medicalert9]

Yes my water is fine. Ijust performed a partial change a week ago and test twice a week. All the test numbers are fine in the safe range and the tank has been established for a year now. My friend joked with me if i had seen a piece of gravel in the fishes mouth trying to pull a "Finding Nemo".

 

[Ferris]

I would guess water probs or lack of oxygen in the water. My Mbuna like swimming against the filter flow for fun but clearly there was a problem in this case. Were there any other symptoms?

 

[loafybones]

Maybe get a airstone going in there to create bubbles to oxygenate the water a bit more.

Was this the only one doing it though?

 

[loafybones]

Perhaps he's seen Finding Nemo

 

[freddyk]

Perhaps he was trying to escape the aggression of other cichlids. 30 gallons usually just doesn't cut it for aggressive species like Melanochromis, except as juveniles. Mbuna at the top of the water is a pretty sure sign of stress.

 

[loafybones]

Perhaps he's seen Finding Nemo

Yes I've just spotted the previous reference, Doh!

 

[medicalert9]

I know its not a problem with oxygen in the water, I have and 18 inch bubble curtain in one corner of the tank. Yes this was the only fish doing this. I only have 6 cichlids in the tank, along with a bristle nose pleco for any algea problems. The cichlids are all the same species also. I have plenty of hiding places and distinct separations in the tank so they can set up territories also.