Worried About Cichlid Firemouth

[kriplak]

worried about my firemouth the problem is he used to be very active when i had him but now hes at the back of the tank mouth perm open and very unactive just wondered if im worrying for nothing???///

 

[Wills]

Other tank mates? Tank size? Water quality? Sometimes cichlids can sulk, has anything changed in the tank recently? Do you have any other fish that can be dominant?

Wills

 

[kriplak]

convict cichlid, jewell cichlid ,are the most aggressive fish ive got its 20 gallon and all the water quality are fine.

 

[star4]

He/she may have got into a lip lock battle with the convict or Jewel and lost, it could be mouth damage. Cons can be pretty viscous when it comes to lip locking, mine are.

 

[kriplak]

oh so this may explain this then thnks for info

 

[Wills]

Whats the total stocking for this tank cos 20g is too small for a jewel, con and firemouth and if you have other fish in there as well worried its a bit over stocked.

 

[frankie21]

Totally agree if they are small juveniles you are ok but when they grow up you will definitely be overstocked if you have other fish in there. One inch of fish per gallon is a good rule but some fish need more territory then others.

Convict 4"
Jewel 6"
Firemouth 7"
Total of 17" plus whatever else you have when full grown.

I have a 30 gallon and I don't think I would want them in there because lack of swimming room for a 7" fish in a 20 gallon. I like Dwarf Cichlids for the smaller tanks like rams, cockatoo, macmasters or any other Apistrogramma because they are small and cool looking.