Convict Cichlids Dieing

[richie6lt]

Hi all I'm Richard, just joined today due to my cichlids are dieing very fast but one by one.
I have lost 3 convict cichlids in 3 weeks and now another one is show the same signs as the others did.

First off its a 25l tank with gravel and rock caves for them to hide in.

Sickness signs are,fish swim in a massive panic hitting the walls of the tank and brake the surface of the water, when finely the come to a stop they swim on there side.
iv tried water changes every 3 days to think it may help but still no better

can any one help or knows what the hell is going on

This is my first cichlid tank so every thing iv done is only been guess work

 

[LyraGuppi]

25L as in a 6G tank?
 
Sorry, my calculations can be a bit weird sometimes, as math hates me.
 
6G is waaay to small for multiple grown convicts, are these fry? Convicts can get up to 5 inches.
 
Here's a link:
http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/amatitlania-nigrofasciata/

 

[richie6lt]

These only 3 now but the biggest one is around 3-4cm and yes its a 6g tank

 

[richie6lt]

So i went out and got a test kit checked the water found ph to be a bit low but still don't explain the spastic swimming

Ph: 6.6 / ammonia 0ppm / n02 0ppm / n03 0ppm

 

[AshleyNZ]

No nitrates? Impossible...

 

[star4]

No nitrates? Impossible...

 
3-4 cm fish with waterchanges every 3 days, then yes it is possible!
 
 
I cant give you a specific answer, but some Ideas...
 
When do the convicts start crashing round the tank? is it when you turn lights on or off? is it a specific time of day, could their be a shadow or shaft of sunlight hitting the tank at a certain angle which is spooking them?
 
How is your tank set up? Convicts like caves and wood to hide among, plants (fake or real) would be adventagous for them at this age/size. What lighting are you using? maybe change your bulb for a dimmer less harsh light might help if you have bright lighting. What substrate are you using? if it is too light ie bright white stone , this can also cause fish to spook easily, go for a more natural colour substrate. If the tank is quite bare you could try adding some wood and plants to create more hiding places, convicts love plant pots. Do you have a background on the tank? if not put something on, I have used a bin liner as a temporary background in the past, it helps stop shadows that can spook fish, even if you have to put it on the back and side.
 
 
In case of illness.
 
I know they are small, but can you see any marks or leisions on the fish, check for ich - tiny white spots. Are they flashing - rubbing themselves on the substrate or off the rocks?
 
Rocks - are your rocks aquarium safe? what is your tap ph compared to your tank ph, 6 is low with wc every 3 days.