I have a sick cichlid................

eskape1 · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

It has a torn up tail, the main fin is slightly torn. It still eats. Is
there a problem with it? I have a twenty gallon tank with five cichlids
in it. Could they be fighting as well?

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>cichlids

dc · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 37

"eskape1@gmail.com" wrote in @m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:

> It has a torn up tail, the main fin is slightly torn. It still eats. Is
> there a problem with it? I have a twenty gallon tank with five cichlids
> in it. Could they be fighting as well?

Cichlids are notorious for aggression, a damaged caudal fin is a sure sign
of it.

What sort of cichlids do you keep? 20 gallons can be small for Africans or
Central Americans depending on the size and species. If cichlids are
unable to avoid aggression by fleeing or hiding it will eventually lead to
stress, injury, and death.

I suggest you try using Melafix to help speed the healing unless the injury
looks heavily infected. Some signs of infection can be redness,
inflammation, excessive slime shed, stringy white material, or sharp
bristle-like hairs. If the aggression continues no medication will be of
much help.

FEAR_THE_ SWAMP · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an honest
answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30 long minimum
for 5 africans.

eskape1 · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
> Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an honest
> answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30 long minimum
> for 5 africans.

I have just gotten a new tank( its only 10 gallons) to house the
stressed out fish. I live in an apartment with wood floors(2nd floor),
so I cant use anymore than this. I now have 4 fish in the upper tank,
and 2 fish in the lower tank. I also have gotten a bunch of new plants
and a flowerpot as well. I hope this will work out. Thanks for the help
guys.

FEAR_THE_ SWAMP · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

Re: I have a sick cichlid................

Group: rec.aquaria.freshwater.cichlids Date: Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 10:07am
(CST-1) From: eskape1@gmail.com
FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an honest
answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30 long minimum
for 5 africans.

I have just gotten a new tank( its only 10 gallons) to house the
stressed out fish. I live in an apartment with wood floors(2nd floor),
so I cant use anymore than this. I now have 4 fish in the upper tank,
and 2 fish in the lower tank. I also have gotten a bunch of new plants
and a flowerpot as well. I hope this will work out. Thanks for the help
guys.

..... That ought to do it. I too, live in a second floor apt, with wood
floors holding two 55 gallon longs. I hope your not telling me they'll
end up on my neighbors floor someday eh?..lol. I have had them set up
here for 4 mos. now as I moved in at that time.

nut · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
> Re: I have a sick cichlid................
>
> Group: rec.aquaria.freshwater.cichlids Date: Wed, Oct 25, 2006,
> 10:07am (CST-1) From: eskape1@gmail.com
> FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
> Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an
> honest answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30
> long minimum for 5 africans.
>
> I have just gotten a new tank( its only 10 gallons) to house the
> stressed out fish. I live in an apartment with wood floors(2nd floor),
> so I cant use anymore than this. I now have 4 fish in the upper tank,
> and 2 fish in the lower tank. I also have gotten a bunch of new plants
> and a flowerpot as well. I hope this will work out. Thanks for the
> help guys.
>
> .... That ought to do it. I too, live in a second floor apt, with wood
> floors holding two 55 gallon longs. I hope your not telling me they'll
> end up on my neighbors floor someday eh?..lol. I have had them set up
> here for 4 mos. now as I moved in at that time.

Very unlikely... the wooden joists beneath the floorboards can support far
more load than most aqaurium cabinets.

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