Parrot Cichlid- Odd Behavior- Help!

[idratherbe8587]

Hello-

I recently purchased a blood red parrot cichlid from a local pet store, and the first day I brought it home it was very lively. It swam all around the 75 gallon tank, and even came up to the glass to say hello-- certainly not shy. However, on the second day its mood suddenly changed. It now sits in a corner and doesn't move. Sometimes it will even wedge itself into a plant, and I have to check and see if its even alive anymore. When I do provoke it, it will dart from one end of the tank to the other, find a new corner and not move from that spot for hours. It has not responded to recent feedings.

Keep in mind, this is only the second day I've had it... but I am concerned- he's not looking good. Any idea what could be going on?

Thank you.

 

[WILDER]

It could still be stressed due to the move and new surroundings.
Hiding away is a sign sometimes that something wrong.
You might be better off posting this thread in the cichlid part of the forum.

 

[idratherbe8587]

It could still be stressed due to the move and new surroundings.
Hiding away is a sign sometimes that something wrong.
You might be better off posting this thread in the cichlid part of the forum.

I posted there first... and then I got all worked up and decided this is an emergency! haha Luckily if he doesn't pull through the store has a refund policy...but that will be a bummer. I read somewhere that they are very social and do well with a BP mate. Could it be he misses his tankmates from the pet store??

 

[WILDER]

He has gone through stress bless him, taken from his tank, the journey, new surrounding and mates, it can take a while for fish to settle into there new enviroment,
What his colour like.

 

[idratherbe8587]

He has gone through stress bless him, taken from his tank, the journey, new surrounding and mates, it can take a while for fish to settle into there new enviroment,
What his colour like.

As far as I can tell his color is fine-- maybe a little paler than before. It just seemed so strange because he went from being the most lively, social fish in the tank to completely frozen and unresponsive. Maybe he was still feeling the de-stresser I added yesterday and now that he's stone-cold sober he's a little freaked out.

 

[WILDER]

Being pale is a sign of stress to illness.
I would give him two more days if no improvement get back to the board.
Turn tanks light out to make him settle down.

 

[idratherbe8587]

Being pale is a sign of stress to illness.
I would give him two more days if no improvement get back to the board.
Turn tanks light out to make him settle down.

He just seems to be bobbing at the bottom... sort of over to the side like he's not even using his own strength to stay up-right. Hmm... doesn't look good. Oh well, hopefully things will improve! Thanks for the advice.

 

[WILDER]

Laying over to oneside can be bacterial to parasite.
Have you noticed him going to the toilet, if so what did it look like.

 

[idratherbe8587]

Laying over to oneside can be bacterial to parasite.
Have you noticed him going to the toilet, if so what did it look like.

Not since yesterday... looked normal. Should I treat w/ something just in case?

 

[WILDER]

Is he laying to onside or tipping to one side like he lost his balance.
[URL="http/thegab.org/Articles/DiagnosisChart.html#Buoyancy"]http/thegab.org/Articles/DiagnosisChart.html#Buoyancy[/URL]

Need more info .
Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Does he look bloated.

 

[idratherbe8587]

Is he laying to onside or tipping to one side like he lost his balance.
<a href="http/thegab.org/Articles/DiagnosisChart.html#Buoyancy" target="_blank">http/thegab.org/Articles/DiagnosisChart.html#Buoyancy</a>

Need more info .
Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Does he look bloated.

75 gallon tank-- 2 angels, 2 emperor tetras, 1 african leaf fish, 4 guppies, 4 rummy-nosed tetras, 1 knight goby... and of course the parrot cichlid.

Doesn't look bloated...

I'll check the stats and post momentarily.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
It sounds more like there something wrong with him.
Does he look abit on the thin side.

 

[idratherbe8587]

Ok.
It sounds more like there something wrong with him.
Does he look abit on the thin side.

No... but I've only had it for 2 days. I wouldn't say it looks especially thin though. It seems to be able to swim fine, as it just darted to the other side of the aquarium. But that is all it has moved for a while.

 

[WILDER]

I don't know anything about cichlids so I don't know there behavour.
Darting means bad water quality, parasites, overdose of meds, toxins, bacterial, stray voltage.
What do his gill look like are they pale with excess mucas or red and inflamed.

 

[idratherbe8587]

I don't know anything about cichlids so I don't know there behavour.
Darting means bad water quality, parasites, overdose of meds, toxins, bacterial, stray voltage.
What do his gill look like are they pale with excess mucas or red and inflamed.

Gills seem normal. If the water quality is bad, wouldn't that effect the other fish as well? They're all acting normal.

Right now he's got himself positioned completely vertical between a fake plant and the glass. Is this sort of weird behavior typical of a parasitic infection?