Stick With It Or Euthanize?

[fishchick]

thank you Rifty so so much as, out of like 4 different post's, you are the only one who has offered any kind of advice..which in my opinion is awesome!! So thank you so very much and if she doesn't make it, at least her death won't be in vein as I have learned some very important information for the future..If you have anything else concerning general cichlid rules for the cichlid beginner I would sure appreciate it ...I had oscar's as a child and they grew too big for the tank and we had to give them away..I fell in love with the mouthbrooder's when I worked as a server in Florida and they had a huge 200 gallon tank full of them..So this is all new to me..Thanks again for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rifty]

no worries hope she makes it
feel free to ask any questions as i only really keep malawis and a plec tank plus I am a good friend with the uk's best wild caught breederso if i dont know im sure he will

goods tips for a beginner
use sand or crushed coral as substraite but stir it each water change ( i know some people have READ this isnt a good idea but i keep the fish do this and have no issues so you choose theroy or fact )
makes sue you have lots of rockfor mbuna most rock is suitable justmake sure it does not contain metals
use good food nls or new era african feed 5 out of 7 days enough for them to eat in a couple of minutes
buy the best filter you can bigger is better and use a powerhead or wavemaker for a strong current in the lake itsself it is hard to stand in certain parts due to currents so this replicates a natural environment
pima and melifix are good for damaged fish this happens a lot from fighting mbuna
stock heavy to avoid too much singling out of one fish
50% water change each week (this is great when you have one tank but not 11 including 2 180cmtanks itsa full time job!)

 

[fishchick]

Holy smokes man you definately have your work cut out for ya....I only have five and I thought I was busy lol

 

[fishchick]

so how about earthworms for a treat? Still bad? Used to feed them to my oscar and he loved them..But that was years and years ago. I just feel bad for taking their treat's away lol

 

[rifty]

i wouldnt god knows what is in the soil!!!all sorts of pesticides etc
a good food will give your fish everything they need i have a few malawis around 8 years old now still breeding and looking good

 

[PhantomFloater]

Hi,

You say its a Zebra. Is it a Zebra Barb or Striped Barb?

If so it sounds very familiar. Zebra Barbs need to be in pairs (male & female ideally samilar age) and ideally share the tank with other smaller barbs, like tiger barbs.

Females have rounder belly and are slightly larger than the males.

The pale look or loosing its distinct stripes is a sign its stressed. The tank needs dark spots or shaded areas.

I have had the same Zebra Barbs for 4 years and they are fussy however very rewarding.

New to this forum so apologies if its not a barb.

 

[Imperata]

Hi I have been having Malawi's for a while now, and I went thru the whole food thing ,too. Some frozen broccoli defrosted in the tank twice or 3 times a week or shelled peas will be just the ticket. I can not speak to something stuck in her throat bc I have never experienced it before. However goldfish flakes are usually very high in protein and will cause bloat. Hikari ciclid staple is fine to feed as long as you are providing fresh vegetables on at least 3 days a week with no pellets. Also, I found out the hard way if you don;t soak the pellets first, you'll get bloat. Also yawning with full stretch of all fins is normal and is a display behaviour.

I have had to learn the absolute hard way what works and what does not. With my current regimen I have healthy active mbunas who are brightly coloured.

 

[rifty]

Hi I have been having Malawi's for a while now, and I went thru the whole food thing ,too. Some frozen broccoli defrosted in the tank twice or 3 times a week or shelled peas will be just the ticket. I can not speak to something stuck in her throat bc I have never experienced it before. However goldfish flakes are usually very high in protein and will cause bloat. Hikari ciclid staple is fine to feed as long as you are providing fresh vegetables on at least 3 days a week with no pellets. Also, I found out the hard way if you don;t soak the pellets first, you'll get bloat. Also yawning with full stretch of all fins is normal and is a display behaviour.

I have had to learn the absolute hard way what works and what does not. With my current regimen I have healthy active mbunas who are brightly coloured.

Seriously??? goldfish flake is NORMALLY around 20% protein so id say that is really low compared to malawi food maybe read the back of you food packs to check so i very much doubt that would cause bloat.
Hakari food is not great for malawi stock due to it floating and soaking it wont make any differnece to giving your fish bloat it just isnt suitable for malawis compared to superiour food on the market in the form of nls or new era which need no substitute or additives needed. i have never lost a fish to bloat using these great brands of food so why risk inferior options

 

[char la]

look for low protein flake i think basic goldfish is lower? or order spirulina flakes online?
all uk lfs are naff so i order my food online i use new life spectrum and new era both make good food
i have used Octozin to help most ill fish i have had

All uk lfs are naff Please dont tar us all with the same brush thank you! For your information our shop stocks New Era food as well as a wide range of other brands inc. JBL, Hikari, Tetra and Nutrafin. And any african cichlid customers are always recommended New Era as the best for their fish

 

[rifty]

look for low protein flake i think basic goldfish is lower? or order spirulina flakes online?
all uk lfs are naff so i order my food online i use new life spectrum and new era both make good food
i have used Octozin to help most ill fish i have had

All uk lfs are naff Please dont tar us all with the same brush thank you! For your information our shop stocks New Era food as well as a wide range of other brands inc. JBL, Hikari, Tetra and Nutrafin. And any african cichlid customers are always recommended New Era as the best for their fish

sorry thats a broad statment the naff bit was my opinion in regards to food vs price