Electric Yellow Cichlids

[stephenward]

My electric yellow's seem to be dying one right after the other. I got them from a breeder about 5 months ago now, they're about 2 1/2 inches long and seem to be healthy and then one day just float to the bottom and stay there untill they die. Does anyone know why they would do this? only 4 have done it so far and I'd like to catch what ever it is before my other ones die as well.

 

[Truck]

post your tank size and water stats.

 

[kj23502]

I lost all 5 of my yellows. They didn't seem to settle well and were always skitish. My other fish were all fine for the most part. How was there temperment before this started?

 

[Truck]

it was a species tank right? not comuunity

 

[kj23502]

I'd had mine for about 1 or 2 months and were decent sized. 2"-3"

 

[stephenward]

My levels are all fine, they're in an 80 gallon. They're with about 11 different types. My friends aunt told me that they could all be together. All the other fish in the tank are fine, it's just the yellow's that seem to have a problem.

 

[Truck]

what do you mean by fine? we NEED your waterstats, its vital if their dying,

ammonia should be 0 always
nitrIte should be 0 always
nitrA should stay bellow 20

 

[stephenward]

My Nittrate is 20, Nitrite is 0, Hardness is 300, Alkalinity is 120 ans PH is 7.0 i think my ammonia is 3.0. Just explain how to fix this please. I'm very new to this, and I was kinda given all these fish.

 

[kj23502]

oh your tanks not cycled. That's the problem

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=175355 (Arrrggghhhh What's Cycling, New Tank And I've Already Got Fish, A beginners guide)

Read that and begin to look at this stuff:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88643

 

[stephenward]

But this tank has been running for months now. I think it may be because I was told to feed them to much, could this be why? I did a water change last night, and moved the yellows to a different tank. Are yellows not as hardy as others?

 

[kj23502]

Ammonia should be zero. Did you recently clean your filters or have something happen to your tank? Feeding to much should not cause your water to shoot to 3 ammonia. When did you start testing your water?

In my experience they weren't to hardy, but they are supposed to be good choices. I guess not many fish are hardy when it comes to ammonia/nitrite and you could still loose some weeks after the cycle does complete.

To catch up your cycle w/out hurting your fish, do water changes as needed to keep ammonia and nitrite down to .25ppm or below. This could take awhile and it'll be a pita, but it's the best way to try to save your fish....next to selling them and doing a fishless cycle and start stocking after that's done.

 

[stephenward]

Thank you for your help. I hope this works. I really don't want to sell them all and lose tons of money, but if it saves the fish of course I will. But in all cases, I really appreciate your help. Have a Happy New Year to all of you.

 

[kj23502]

Happy New Year to you as well. Good luck