Im Now A Cichlid Owner :) Pics!

[shell30984]

just notiiced this evening that the fish are starting to sit at the top, sometimes jumping up out of the water. almost look like they are panting struggling for air?!
quite concerned, even the puffer is doing it
so we have put the filter is now putting water out at the top of the tank so hopefully getting more o2 in..
is there anything else we should be looking at? all the water parameters are ok???

 

[Joshwainwright]

What's the ammonia level at? Also Nitrite?

 

[shell30984]

Both Zero! But its a Dipstick, as thats all i have left at the min,but says its in a safe zone!!

 

[Joshwainwright]

Hmmm, have you dosed your tank with anything recently/tonight?

 

[shell30984]

I did add a very small amount of ammonia remover earlier......
it might just be because they are a new BIG fish to me, and im use to small fish and puffers...I dont no
they seem to of stopped gasping at the surface, but still gasping?

 

[Joshwainwright]

I can only suggest to keep an eye on them and do regular water changes if it persists. Hopefully, it isn't anything serious.

 

[shell30984]

Ok will do
Thank you for all your advice
xxxx

 

[Joshwainwright]

No problem

 

[Timmy_Bee]

As for externals, i have got a Fluval 305 on my Rio 240 and its doing a good job, but i agree with what people have said that APS seem to do good filters for less money (i havent had one myself - just what i've heard)

Hopefully your gasping issues have been resolved, but just make sure the filter is disturbing the waters surface and you should be good on the O2 front

 

[shell30984]

Woke up this Morning to find the larger one is no longer with us!
The smaller one has lost colour, and seems really depressed!

Im off to the aquatic store to take in a water sample - but it was all fine on my kit - im sure they will try to fob me off with something

 

[Sussex Cichlid]

No way!!!! I'm sorry to read that mate. He looked a stunning fish. I am not sure why it happened, but fish do not do well in a new tank that hasn't been properly cycled. I may be talking out of turn as you probably know all of this. Also as mentioned above, there should be ample surface agitation for gas exchange, which may well explain the gasping at the surface. They are big fish and need good filtration. If you intend to keep the female, please try and get the best external filter you can afford. Also if there is anything you need to know, post here as there are a lot of good, knowledgeable and helpful people on here to guide you. Once again sorry about your big Dempsey.

 

[Joshwainwright]

I'm very sorry to hear the news

 

[shell30984]

Thanks Guys,

Im not having much luck with fish at the min
I'll see the aquatic store says, but i will see how the smaller one goes for now!

Would the ammonia etc build up if there has been a dead fish in there overnight, as the levels were fine yesterday (and all the other days that i had tested it before putting the fish in) but seemed slightly higher this morning?

 

[Joshwainwright]

That could be a cause in the ammonia level. I previously presumed this but is your tank cycled?

Also, what is the Ph, Dempsey Cichlid's need it to be around 7.0-8.0.

 

[shell30984]

Yeah Ph was 8 (i think), but normal anyways, and tank is cycled! Only for almost 2 weeks, but checked at a number of places etc and they said that was fine?!? its the same as what i've done for all my other tanks, but should of i given it longer? The Plec seems to of survived from a week ago, but our plec has survived almost everything