[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Failure keeping cichlids in the long term
"Alysoun McLaughlin" wrote: <<<
Failure keeping cichlids in the long term
Ok, I'm stumped.
I've had a planted community tank set up in my living room for about two
years now. It's a healthy environment -- or at least, it seems to be for
the plants and for certain fish. But I just can't keep cichlids or
labyrinth fish.
I don't lose the fish when they're first introduced, but in spurts, usually
after several months. The latest round included three juvenile angelfish,
purchased about two months ago (there are still two surviving quite happily
in the tank, no symptoms at all), and three honey dwarf gouramis (one is
still surviving happily). All of these fish have died within the last two
weeks, although I haven't lost a single cardinal tetra.
(..)
Symptoms have varied, meaning that sometimes I get skin lesions on the
labyrinth fish, or dropsy or emaciation in the dwarf cichlids, or gasping at
the surface from angelfish. Most of the time, though, a fish that appears
healthy in the afternoon is found dead later in the evening.
I'm not the most conscientious aquarium keeper and it's been a very
long time since I've tested the nitrates/pH, but it seems to happen when my
plants are growing well and I've been maintaining the tank regularly.
Perhaps that's the problem? A skin cream or deodorant that could affect
certain fish and not others? I just can't figure out what might affect
cichlids, labyrinth fish and the occasional catfish, but not affect the
cardinal tetras or harlequin rasboras.>>>>>>>
Alysoun, it is almost impossible to manage disease outbreaks
without doing ALL the necessary homework. Diseases may be
environmental, genetic, infective, etc. and all sorts of combinations
may occur. So, if you do not establish some firm point of reference,
such as whether or not your water quality is acceptable, to then
exclude or retain all the other possible explanations becomes
practically impossible. Also, basic fish husbandry rules, such
as quarantine of new fish, should be followed. So if you do not
provide specific details you can post your
doubts, get all sorts of answers, and be still as uncertain as you were
originally. If instead you check the water quality, and describe exactly and
in detail the symptoms you see and those occurred in the past, maybe
somebody on the list will be able to make educated guesses on
what is going on in your tank specifically. Also, becoming familiar
with a fish disease book I am sure will help you a lot to recognize
what are the things to look for.
Dionigi Maladorno
dionigi.maladorno@roche.com
This message presents personal opinions which are not necessarily those
of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@listbox.com.
For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help,
email apisto-request@listbox.com.
Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!