Malawi Tank Fish Flicking Off Rocks.

[jumblepod]

Hi,
 
I have a 400L mixed malawi tank which has been running since about last september and have had no problems until now. The fish have started flicking off rocks and off the sand on the bottom, also some erratic swimming. Whats puzzling me is there is no sign of any whitespot. Any suggestions on whats causing this and how it should be treated?
 
Water stats:
 
ph: 8.5
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

 

[ech0o]

Sounds like flukes to me.  Instead of swimming slowly and regularly, do they do a lot of sitting still, and then darting very quickly to the next spot where they stop, etc..   Any redness to the gills plates?  Panting?

 

[jumblepod]

I wouldnt say they sit still however they do the "darting" thing you talk about. Theres no redness to any of there gills. I forgot to mention i recently had one fish die with an enlarged eye. There not panting and they are all still willing to eat and rush up to the front when i go near the tank.

 

[ech0o]

Yea it really sounds like an internal parasite to me at this point.  Not gill flukes now that you mention the enlarged eye, but maybe an internal parasite of some kind.   I would try de-worming medication before anything else as it fits best, and the medication is the easiest on the fish compared to antibiotics and antifungals.   What I would suggest is buying some medicated flake, or getting some medication and soaking their food in it before you feed it to them.    The 3 drugs which are easiest acquired are Prazi, Metronidazole, or Flubenadazole.   The product API General Cure is a very easily acquired medication at most pet stores, comes in powder that is meant to treat a whole tank, but you can break it down and mix it with food and it is much more effective and safe for your tank this way.   Otherwise I know I found some Metronidazole infused flake foods on ebay for a decent price, as well as medicated food at my LFS, so you may just look/ask around.