Crenicichla Notophthalmus

[superjalami30]

Heya folks.
I bought a pair of Crenicichla notophthalmus, a dwarf pike cichlid.
The male is outstanding, feeding and acting normal.
However, the female is not doing so well, when I bought her I was told she was a little "thin", which she was.

At this moment she is hovering, looking stright up near the surface of the tank. She is swimming around periodically, and otherwise appears OK.
I've been treating the tank with mela/pimafix since 2 days before I got them.

What about salt, is salt ok with cichlids? Believe it or not I havent come across anything yet regarding the use of salt and this paticular species of pike.

Either way, I'm looking for any advice you cichlid experts may have to offer.

Thanks.

 

[a.d.wood]

Hi there,

What have you been feeding them???

If you haven't used live food, try some. The movement of the food may just be sufficient to trigger the feeding response of the female (probably easiest with daphnia as they will float around the tank for a while), then if this works you can slowly move them back onto a non live food diet.

Stay with the melafix if you are going to use any medications, changing meds or using salt might just aggrivate the situation (especially as there are no clear disease indications with your fish).

Andrew

 

[superjalami30]

Thanks a.d.
I've been feeding them guppy and platy fry for the most part.
The dealer I bought them from got them used to flakes and pellots so I'll use them once and awhile, but for the most part my guppy/platy breeding machine will provide most of they're food, as well as frozen bloodworm and mesquito larvea, which again the male devours.

thanks again a.d.