Strange Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Behaviour.

[Gremily]

Hi everyone,

About two weeks ago I purchased a pair of cockatoo dwarf cichlids for my 120l aquarium which already had 9 rummynose tetras in. The day after buying them I noticed they were both flicking themselves against rocks and I thought maybe they had whitespot, but after two weeks and no white spots appearing I think I can rule that out. I've seen them doing it again yesterday and today, and was just wondering if anyone had any idea what the cause could be.
Thanks.

 

[SJ2K]

External paracites, look up a good medication for that in the emergencies section and you'll be away

 

[pandacichlid]

definitely consider a type of external parasite, however certain fish can itch after water changes if they are sensitive.

 

[FISH KEEPER EXP]

my biteniata done the same thing, i thought it maybe early whitespot symptoms but it never appeared. my problem turned out to be another external parasite called costia, which ive been told can burrow under the scales to start ulcers and other bacterial symptons. I used a waterlife treatment to rid the fish in the end.

 

[-=Marc=-]

Hi,

my Apistogramma (all kept species) show this behaviour from time to time. Especially after feeding live-food like cyclops or other very small living food. I never had to apply some medics, in all cases this behaviour stopps after some days. In my humble opinion, the fish show this, whenever anything disturbs at the gills, like a cleanup-move (i'am sorry, i don't find the right words to explain it properly ). And have i never, really never lost Apistos due to infections, they grow upto four/five years old.

To be shure it might be a good idea to take a smear test and examine it under a microscope [1]. Thats, in my and my wifes (she is the one with the microscope) opinion, the best way to be shure what to do ...or even not.

Kind regards
Marc

[1] A cheap one, just about 49 Euro with a USB-Adapter.