I have a 125 gallon fish tank with at one point about 20 african cichlids. My problem is that over the last month or so ive lost about 10 fish. 3 in the last 4 days and 2 today. The ammonia levels are normal. .25 ppm/ I have about 10 fish remaining and there are no physical symptoms. The fish whom die appear normal do not appear to be bloated or covered in any sort of film. I am unsure of what the problem is. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Cichlids Dying! Please Help!
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caboose_122
Fishaholic
what fish do you have in there, if you could list them it might be aggression from other fish, ammonia should be 0ppm
I doubt its an aggression problem. The fish have lived in the tank for about 3 years and i have never had an aggression problem. I do have a male auratus but he keeps to himself most of the time. I also havent seen any physical symptoms of any kind of fungus or whatnot. The fish also do not appear to be harmed or attacked. Also what would you recomend as the most effective way to lower the ammonia. I did a 20 percent water change today after i saw the two dead fish and i do a 20 percent water change every two weeks and occasionally 3 weeks if for whatever reason im unable to do so on the 2 week scheduale. I dont see that being the problem either. Thanks for your help.
caboose_122
Fishaholic
i do a 50-65% water change after a fish dies that should also lower your ammonia too
What kind of filtration do you have running, and how many gallons per hour are they filtering?
How often do you test, it's unusual to get ammonia readings in a 3 year old tank.
A few things could cause the ammonia to rise, the dead fish are sitting in the tank too long, you are overfeeding, not enough filtration.
What is your stocking list?
Have you recently added any new fish or decorations?
Started using a new chemical in the house?
You can get away with water changes every two weeks if you have enough filtration, but you should be removing 40-50% of the water.
What are your NitrIte, NitrAte, and PH readings?
How often do you test, it's unusual to get ammonia readings in a 3 year old tank.
A few things could cause the ammonia to rise, the dead fish are sitting in the tank too long, you are overfeeding, not enough filtration.
What is your stocking list?
Have you recently added any new fish or decorations?
Started using a new chemical in the house?
You can get away with water changes every two weeks if you have enough filtration, but you should be removing 40-50% of the water.
What are your NitrIte, NitrAte, and PH readings?
Never rule out aggression with Mbuna. An adult tank is completely different to a juvie tank - they can all happily grow up together but once they reach adulthood, things can change drastically as the instinct to establish territory takes over.
20% water change once every 2 weeks is likely to be your problem in this case though - that isn't really enough IME. I sometimes leave my water changes for 2 weeks but then do 40-45%.
A few regular water changes over the next week would certainly be your best bet - try and get rid of that ammonia and take it from there.
Have you tested for nitrates?
Just one other thing hows the temp in your tank, i noticed mine creep up to 86 today !
Still may be aggression though i have lost 3 fish in 2 months 1 was was battered but the other 2 had no marks but im guessing it was stress by which ever fish killed the other 1.
A stock list would help as well if the first fish you lost was an alfa male then there could be an upset to the whole tank as a new fish tries to be alfa
Still may be aggression though i have lost 3 fish in 2 months 1 was was battered but the other 2 had no marks but im guessing it was stress by which ever fish killed the other 1.
A stock list would help as well if the first fish you lost was an alfa male then there could be an upset to the whole tank as a new fish tries to be alfa
If i put the lights on god knows what it will go to.
Not too bad, it's fish only, no corals and the fish seem fine. If it gets any hotter - i'll stand the external filter in a bucket packed with ice. Because i have no corals - i can leave the lights off for as long as i need - those T5's get really hot.
mark7616
potatoes
Just get a bigger marine tank its the nuts im well chuffed have you checked out my tank recently?
Maximus
Fish Herder
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