itchy fish

[teknikz]

my cichlids seem to be a bit itchy....scrapin themselves across the sand or rocks....is anythin up with them?

 

[alitheia_agapi]

You might want to look up symptoms of disease--some fish will do that when they have a parasite or fungus. If they also have white spots, it might be Ich.

 

[KimmyFishy89]

Scratching is usually a for warning to ich.

 

[alitheia_agapi]

Somebody posted this web address: http/www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html on the emergency fish forum--it has symptoms & pictures of fish diseases. Turns out that scraping is a symptom of a bunch of diseases.

 

[CFC]

Have you tested your nitrates? High nitrates can iritate fish and cause them to scratch.

 

[teknikz]

i added some anti fungus treatment b4......i havent tested nitrates....not got a tester for that....i'll purchase 1 2moro

 

[Wasserpest]

I wouldn't add any medication without knowing what causes this. Get a microscope, strong magnifying glass, or photographic lens, and see if there is something strange floating in the water. My fishies were scratching too, caused by tiny little micro-orgs that I now filtered out. http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9024

 

[Lateral Line]

The commonest reason for fish to start flicking and scratching in an established tank is water trouble. Check that before thinking disease. Fish are pretty robust, as long as their environment is okay.

 

[teknikz]

well i checked my water n everythin is fine apart from nitrate.....so i changed some water and they seem happier

 

[CFC]

Just keep a eye on the nitrate, it may be that you need to do 2 water changes a week to keep up with the nitrate levels, cichlids are messy fish.