Whats Wrong With My Cichlids

[dalewatkinson]

hello every1
can any one tell me whats going on with my fish they are rubbing themselfs on the gravel in the tank like they have an itch on there sides?
is this normal with cichlids?

 

[backtotropical]

This is a common symptom of whitespot. Have you noticed any spots? They are usually most easily seen on the fins.

 

[dalewatkinson]

no white spots but one of them has started to get black patches on his skin

 

[backtotropical]

Is that the same one which is rubbing? If so, have you noticed it being bullied?

Also, can you post water stats, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH. These may help the diagnosis.

Cheers

BTT

 

[dalewatkinson]

hmm well the nitrite is about 1.0
nitrate is 0
ammonia is 0
it is pretty high but we added new fish 5 days ago

 

[backtotropical]

Thats the problem Dale. Nitrite impairs the fish's ability to deliver oxygen to the blood and irritates the gills (probably why they are rubbing). Counter it with water changes and you may be able to rectify the situation before any illness develops.

Do a 50% water change now and another in the morning. Good luck and if you are unsure, just ask.

BTT

edit: Just for info, the black patches you mentioned are usually a sign that the fish is stressed.

 

[dalewatkinson]

hmmm on a closer look i think they may have white spot one or two of them. im not sure they are not white more off yellow on the bottom fins

 

[darrel69]

what cichlids do you have ? African cichlids do rub themselfs against rocks/gravel to show aggresion or mating signs. its also common for them to get little black dots on their gills from fighting and digging.

edit: they also have yellow dots (egg spots) on their anal fin, lol

 

[dalewatkinson]

they are mbuna fish
the white/yellow spots are on they under fins not the tail but the rear ones.

 

[dalewatkinson]

hmm well lets just hope they are egg sports. what do they mean? should young cichlids have them?

 

[scappaflow]

they are mbuna fish
the white/yellow spots are on they under fins not the tail but the rear ones.

I have two friends, both with large Mbuna set ups.

One said their general behaviour is to chase each other about basically until one of them dies, if you only had a few that is.

They both keep a reasonably stocked (between 12-20 specimens) 200L tanks with lots of rocks.
The theory is that with so many fish, they will chase each other for only a short period of time then they will be able to rest under some rocks, or will chase a different fish.

If you don't have too many hiding places, or only a few fish, then perhaps they are getting beat up a lot with constant chasing about.

Just a theory.

 

[darrel69]

ok, if you go to the african cichlid section you'll find alot of usefull information on mbuna there ...

http/www.fishforums.net/category/13/Afri...World-Cichlids/

egg spots just show that they're mouthbrooders. males tend to have 3 or more egg spots while females have usually have none but can have 1 or 2. yes, they can have them at an early age and they can have them on any of the back fins.

i doubt they have itch. what your seeing is normal among these fish.

 

[rabbut]

Yellow spots could be velvet. Are these spots shugar grain in size?smaller?larger?
I agree with BTT, nitrite is caursing stress, and needs to be brought down before serious damage is done. I am shure you are aware of cycling, but if not, have a read of [topic="224306"]this thread[/topic] to formiliarise yourself with the process. Fesease or no disease, if niitrite is not brought down, you fish whon't have long left.......

Are you using liquid or dip-strip tests?

HTH
Rabbut

 

[darrel69]

if its yellow spots like this fish has here .... http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=1729 trust me, its fine.

also, like other people have said, the nitrite needs bringing down ASAP

 

[dalewatkinson]

yeah the spots are like on the link so thats good that they are normal. ive done a large water change last night and will do one today after i have done the tests.
they are a liquid tests.
oh and the tank is cylcled or was.