Yellow Lab Behavior

[cdell]

I have a relatively new cycling cichlid tank. the current readings are ammonia .5, nitrites 0, nitrates 0 and ph 8.0.

two weeks ago I added 2 yellow labs, 2 aceis, last week I added 2 Kenyis. I noticed today that one of the yellow labs to show a relative anxious behavior. It seems to focus on swilling against the water flow near the filter return and when it comes down, it moves very swiftly around the tank. It did eat today and doesn't show any other symptoms. The other lab in comparison, moves swiftly, but not in an anxious behavior more in what has appeared to be a normal behavior as does the other cichlids in the tank.

 

[rdd1952]

I am moving and bumping this since it was originally in the species section and was not visible.

 

[SharonCC]

The tanks is understocked for Mbuna...I know you can't complete the stocking while cycling, but a full stocking will help with aggression issues. They also need a LOT of rockwork, to give every fish a territory. When you think you have enough rocks, add more!!! Is there a lot of aggression towards the Lab in question? Kenyis are very aggressive...watch to see if the anxious fish is taking a beating.

 

[kj23502]

Well, if I was a fish living in ammonia I don't think I'd be to happy either. I'm sure you'll see some different behavior as your tank cycles. Ammonia litterally burns them and nitrite suffocates them. You'll find that most members in this forum advocate fishless cycling because of that. If I were you, I'd take my fish back and proceed with a fishless cycle.

Link about fishless cycling.

 

[cdell]

Well, if I was a fish living in ammonia I don't think I'd be to happy either. I'm sure you'll see some different behavior as your tank cycles. Ammonia litterally burns them and nitrite suffocates them. You'll find that most members in this forum advocate fishless cycling because of that. If I were you, I'd take my fish back and proceed with a fishless cycle.

Link about fishless cycling.

Actually following a closer observation of the activity in the tank, I now know what the source of the behavior was, it is called Kenyi. One of the Kenyi if have is expressing quite a bit of aggression recently. Today, they are doing fine. By the way, the ammonia level today read at less than .5

 

[kj23502]

Glad that the ammonia's lowering, but I can guarantee you that they are not happy with the ammonia level as any level is bad for fish. Kenyi are little devils, btw. Also stay away from auratus. And demasoni. Demasoni require at least groups of 10 with only 1 male...and that stocking would take up most of your stocking, which in a mbuna tank you fit around 16 a the most



Kj

 

[cdell]

Glad that the ammonia's lowering, but I can guarantee you that they are not happy with the ammonia level as any level is bad for fish. Kenyi are little devils, btw. Also stay away from auratus. And demasoni. Demasoni require at least groups of 10 with only 1 male...and that stocking would take up most of your stocking, which in a mbuna tank you fit around 16 a the most



Kj

I am doing a 25% water change every 2 days now that I have seen the ammonia. I suspect the nitrite and nitrate should kick in within the week. I will certainly closely monitor the water condition and increase changes as necessary. I am using algone as well which certainly aids in keeping the levels low. I know this will slow the cycling down, but I prefer a slow cycling period especially since I have stocked the tank.

 

[kj23502]

Water changes are definitely your friend



Kj