Mbuna, Tank Move And Bloat

[Miss Dib Dabs]

As seen in my siggy I currently have a 44g set up with my Mbuna and some of my synos. My largest Socolofi, a male, was stressed some weeks ago by the presence of two temporary fish, which he became aggitated and aggressive about. They were in the tank less then 12 hours before being moved to their new home no worse the wear for his attitude. He, unfortunately, developed bloat right after this and I expected to lose him. Thankfully I haven't and after a course of high dose anti-internal bacteria meds and avoiding as far as possible any carniverous food (Bearing in mind the syno presence) he is improving daily. He's almost fully recovered now.
Thing is, I now have my 100g tank, still standing empty of anything, which I will start setting up tomorrow. The Mbuna are to be moved to it as being a far better tank for their eventual size and number (being that I've got three growing babies from the female Socolfi already). In regards to this fella, would it be better to wait until he is completely recovered before moving any of them to avoid stress problems, especially since he seems easily worked up. It's not going to be for at least a few days anyway as setting up this tank will be no mean feat. But in light of his (albeit recovering from) nasty infection I'm not entirely sure if moving him or disturbing the tank in general is a good idea until he is fully recovered.
On a second note will I need to increase the numbers due to the larger tank size? To be honest I'd rather not as alot of my synos will be moving in and with their number with the cichlids I don't wish to cause problems. I will be using at least one mature external filter along with a seeded external. And possibly a small mature internal just for good measure. All in all the filtration will cover a tank close to twice this size.
Also, if anyone has any good ideas for an excellent set up with lots of hiding places and a way to make natural looking slate walls/caves etc I'd be really happy to hear them. The last time I tried to make such things I messed up big time. ) I have alot of things already of course, as these fish all live in tanks here and don't really want to spend a fortune.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Ferris]

I would avoid moving them until your Socolofi has fully recovered. You've done really well to cure him of a normally fatal infection, i wouldn't risk spoiling that now.

With regard to the new tank setup, have a look at this thread, there are some good looking tank pictures posted by other members.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Thanks and I believe you're right. Having studied the disease as far as possible it seemed, considering how far the illness had gotten, he was a goner but he has pulled through this and is as bright and active as ever. Still not 100% but with the water being kept very clean and the diet being carefully monitered I am very pleased with his progress. I actually used Interpets Anti internal bacteria to treat him at full dosage with plenty of as natural foods as pos. He spent alot of time hiding away in the synos large rock cave but hasn't stopped eating at any point. The swelling is gradually going down in his anal area and his swimming is almost back to normal. I am very pleased with his progress.
Noticed this morning two of the girls (One socolfi and one Fuelleborni) are brooding fry. So will not add any more cichlids to their number when they move.
Thanks for the link to the other thread. I will be working on the set up from today onwards. I want to get it right for them all as it will be where they'll spend their lives now. I also have to take into account the number of hiding spots the synos will demand. So hope to get plenty of slate and malawi rock to build up nooks and crannies for all.
Hugs,
P.

 

[jollysue]

Have you posted some pics of any of these fellows? I'm peeking in a little late in developments.

Congrats on the good work. Nothing makes us feel more like fishkeepers than nursing a fish to good health, in my experience. I compares to raising babies, at least.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

No I haven't but my Daddy came over last week and he was wandering round with his camera so he may have some pics of some of them. I will put up pics when I have them of course and when the 100g is set up and running. Right now it's just a big empty tank that hurt my back when moving it. I have fish from 3 different tanks joining each other (Mostly the synos) in the biggy so it's gonna take some major patience and fish moving as the 30g is being shut down and the residents moved to other tanks.
I agree it is nice to find you have helped a fish recover from such a serious illness. I really was suprised he pulled through so well. The symptoms came on so suddenly too without any prior signs of problems at all. Am certain it was caused by the stress of the two fish I had in their briefly and accompany that with me feeding with far too much bloodworm (Yes, I know, stupid) and really I've been lucky that only he got bloat.
Having had babies (Now very much not babies!) I know what you mean. I always feel happiest when I see just how much these fish trust me. Some go as far as allowing me to hold them in my hands if I'm moving them and much prefer it to a net. And to see them feel happy enough to be breeding in full daylight and in sight....well it gives a good sense of well being.
But the real topper is the fry. Those that came from the Socolfi girl (the other girl, not the one currently carrying) are growing fast and doing very well in with the adults. I seem to have been blessed with a great many fry in various tanks from other species that do not get eaten by the adults and grow up healthy and bright. It seems the cichlids are going to be the same.
Hugs,
P.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Moved them all yesterday! I had 45 fish to move in total. Took 3 hours. Bear in mind that the cichlids were upstairs and were moved downstairs. The last one took 20 minutes to catch!! Catching the babies was fun too. My Socolofi female that was carrying had obviously spat them that day too so tinies to catch and move. Thankfully only lost one which had run away from me into the mouth of my Decorus, poor thing. They are all happily settling into the 100g with a large group of synos who act like a big family group...much like dolphins. I will take some pics in a bit to add. The big male Socolofi with the bloat still has issues with swimming thing but he's otherwise fit and healthy. It seems the damge that was done by the disease has been permanent. Poor fella possibly won't have a very long life as he should but he seems perfectly happy. *sigh*
Hugs,
P.

 

[jollysue]

I am so looking forward to seeing pics of your new setup! I wish I had the integrety and dicsipline to close down tanks. I can sometimes combine tanks but there's always a new group waiting in the wings.

The negative balance to saving fish--as profound as it is--is always offset by losing many more than I save. I am ashamed to say how many I lose, especially as the sickness can usually be traced back to my poor, ignorant, and compulsive fishkeeping.

Out of my 7 egg cory clutch (my first attempt at egg raising), I have one survivor. He/she is a champ, but still only one out of seven. )

I believe my apistogramma have managed the breeding and egg part, but so far no fry have survived to be seen. I think some eggs hatched in the cory tank but I again have seen no survivors.

On another note, my two synos are doing well with the new fronts. Still not sure of the species. My lfs has some nice synos I last I was there--quite expensive at $50-$60--which put me off. But I was thinking of stopping in to take a second look. Got a suggestion for a Lake Tanyanika syno?

I am impressed with your accomplishments.