Sick Keyhole Cichlid

[blackers92]

For the past 3 days my smaller keyhole has been a lot shyer and less active then normal

It would come up to eat and mouth food, take about one bite and then go off to another side of the tank.

I didn't see it at all today but today it swam around to the front and has been resting on the bogwood ever since. Other than not eating nothing looks wrong with her. She has had clear poo so I am beginning to think it may be some sort of parasite, she seems to be breathing fine

I will do a water change tomorrow and dose with API Pimafix as it is all that I have. I do not have a quarantine tank and Pimafix was the only medical treatment that my local pet store had in stock

If it is a parasite will it (the parasite) eventually die?

My stats are fine

pH 7
Ammonia- 0
Nitrate- 5
Nitrite-0

Please help, I keep thinking I will come home to find it dead

 

[roadmaster]

For the past 3 days my smaller keyhole has been a lot shyer and less active then normal

It would come up to eat and mouth food, take about one bite and then go off to another side of the tank.

I didn't see it at all today but today it swam around to the front and has been resting on the bogwood ever since. Other than not eating nothing looks wrong with her. She has had clear poo so I am beginning to think it may be some sort of parasite, she seems to be breathing fine

I will do a water change tomorrow and dose with API Pimafix as it is all that I have. I do not have a quarantine tank and Pimafix was the only medical treatment that my local pet store had in stock

If it is a parasite will it (the parasite) eventually die?

My stats are fine

pH 7
Ammonia- 0
Nitrate- 5
Nitrite-0

Please help, I keep thinking I will come home to find it dead

Pimafix will not be effective against possible parasites especially if internal.
For internal parasites,Metronidazole or levamisol or meds containing these would be my choice.
Might try mixing some minced or crushed garlic with food if the fish is still eating.

 

[KittyKat]

It is not likely to be internal parasites unless you have made new additions to your tank recently or have been feeding live foods. I think, as long as the fish does not start looking thin, you don't have much to worry about I have known my keyholes to have "shy fits" where one or more fish will hide more than is usual. Maybe one of the other fish has been bullying it or it has decided that it actually doesn't feel very secure in the tank.

Does feeding at both ends of the tank and stepping well away from it after putting the food in make any difference?

 

[blackers92]

well I will try some crushed garlic in addition to some de-shelled peas and standard granules

there haven't been any new additions so I cant figure out where, (if it is parasites) they came from

I haven't tried feeding both ends of the tank I will try that tommorow, up until today it would come towards the surface regardless of what fish were nearby .