Twitchy African Cichlids

[pinkbaby10101]

I have 3 African cichlids.

I have the heater, filter, and bubble thingy all hooked up right and they have been working ever since i got the fish and hooked everything up.

I feed my fish at the right times and i just cleaned their tank around 5/6 days ago.

One of my fish started twitching today it still swims and eats and everything but it looks like only the front half is twitching.

I thought there might be something wrong with the tank but only that one fish is twitching the others are fine.

Is it sick or scared?

If anyone can tell me what might be wrong that would awsome!

THANKS!

 

[electric yellow]

I have an african and south american tank...none of mine twitch. All though the electric blue male we have loves to loiter around the top of the tank and splash himself up into the top of the water. I always think hes trying to jump out...hes just twitching.

 

[Colin_T]

Poor water quality or skin parasites are the most likely cause. Depending on how long the tank has been set up for it could be ammonia or nitrite that is causing the twitching. A healthy well established biological filter should remove any ammonia and nitrite converting them into nitrate.

Skin parasites like whitespot or costia can also cause twitching. Check the fish and if it rubs against rocks or ornaments, or has any tiny white spots or a grey film over its body. If it doesn't then it is probably water quality.

Try doing a daily 30-50% water change for a week and see how it goes.

 

[dthoffsett]

If you water levels are good (ammonia and nitrite @ 0), and the fish only shakes occasionally, it could be perfectly normal aggression/mating behavior. Does it look like he/she's having an epileptic fit?

 

[Gatorbait]

What size tank? (out of curiosity only)

What Africans are they?

With only 3 "Africans" I'm inclined to say they are Mbuna? If so having so few you'll notice aggression more than if you stocked more heavily. This is typical aggression with them and i agree with dthoffsett. (Of course I do, he's forgotten more about African cichlids than I'll EVER know lol)

But it would really help if you could give the scientific names and size of your fish so we'd have more to go on.

 

[humpy_the_humphead_wrasse]

(Of course I do, he's forgotten more about African cichlids than I'll EVER know lol)

'

... hmm intentional or mistake in your writing? i could take it either way LOL. i couldnt decide on which it was so i must know haha

 

[dthoffsett]

This is typical aggression with them and i agree with dthoffsett. (Of course I do, he's forgotten more about African cichlids than I'll EVER know lol)

That's very sweet of you, though I haven't kept them for that long (about 3 years), a bit of research and observation will answer most questions. Oh, and I'm a girl.

 

[mav8989]

I have a large African Mbunu tank - mine "shimmy" or "twitch" - particularly the males - I always assumed it is either a mating display or a back-off message (territorial display) -- I have battled my share of fish diseases - but never in my African or South American tank for that matter... Keep a close eye - if the "twitching" seems to occur in either of the above scenarios or in close proximity to other fish, I'd bet you are okay. I know what you mean by half of the fish "twitching" - it seems that they hold half their body still and rapidly shimmy the other half. If you see any signs of parasitic or other ailments there are plenty of people who know more than I about that... but I wouldn't panic yet.

 

[electric yellow]

I have a large African Mbunu tank - mine "shimmy" or "twitch" - particularly the males - I always assumed it is either a mating display or a back-off message (territorial display) -- I have battled my share of fish diseases - but never in my African or South American tank for that matter... Keep a close eye - if the "twitching" seems to occur in either of the above scenarios or in close proximity to other fish, I'd bet you are okay. I know what you mean by half of the fish "twitching" - it seems that they hold half their body still and rapidly shimmy the other half. If you see any signs of parasitic or other ailments there are plenty of people who know more than I about that... but I wouldn't panic yet.

Same same. Ive never had any problems with my african or south american cichlid tank. All my probs when they arise happen in the everyday tropical tank.