Electric Blue Johanni missing part of it's tail

[Gill Passman]

One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an assignation
with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to watch.

Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT tank
is currently housing a Betta).

Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of 7.5

Any thoughts would be appreciated?

Thanks
Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
> One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
> infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an assignation
> with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to watch.
>
> Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
> proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT tank
> is currently housing a Betta).
>
> Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of 7.5
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated?
>
> Thanks
> Gill
>
>
>
>
Cichlids are sturdy, and usually heal well in good water like you
describe. I used to dab cichlid injuries with mercurichrome to be sure
they didn't get infected, *if* I could catch the fish without ripping
the tank apart. You can supposedly also use Neosporin cream, although I
haven't tried it. The ones that got badly beat up and needed treatment
the most were usually pretty easy to catch since they'd be up at the top
of the tank trying hard to look like an innocent bit of debris. ;-)

If the tail loss was from suddenly severe aggression that is ongoing,
you'll probably have to get her safe and away from the stress to heal.
You can use breeding nets for small Africans, or for the betta. Then
the problem becomes reintroducing her to the tank without her getting
beat up again, so hopefully that's not an issue.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
> > infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an
assignation
> > with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to
watch.
> >
> > Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
> > proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT
tank
> > is currently housing a Betta).
> >
> > Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of
7.5
> >
> > Any thoughts would be appreciated?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Gill
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Cichlids are sturdy, and usually heal well in good water like you
> describe. I used to dab cichlid injuries with mercurichrome to be sure
> they didn't get infected, *if* I could catch the fish without ripping
> the tank apart. You can supposedly also use Neosporin cream, although I
> haven't tried it. The ones that got badly beat up and needed treatment
> the most were usually pretty easy to catch since they'd be up at the top
> of the tank trying hard to look like an innocent bit of debris. ;-)
>
> If the tail loss was from suddenly severe aggression that is ongoing,
> you'll probably have to get her safe and away from the stress to heal.
> You can use breeding nets for small Africans, or for the betta. Then
> the problem becomes reintroducing her to the tank without her getting
> beat up again, so hopefully that's not an issue.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Thanks Elaine,
She seems to be keeping herself pretty well hidden - only coming out at food
time - haven't noticed her actually eat though. The agressor is a male
Electric Blue - the same one who had the assignation with her in the cave
yesterday - so I wonder if it has something to do with this. All of the
others seem to be leaving her alone.

It's not going to be easy to catch her without dismantling the rock work
which would be a major operation so I guess I'll just leave her be unless
the situation gets worse.

Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Gill Passman wrote:
>>
>>>One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
>>>infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an
>
> assignation
>
>>>with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to
>
> watch.
>
>>>Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
>>>proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT
>
> tank
>
>>>is currently housing a Betta).
>>>
>>>Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of
>
> 7.5
>
>>>Any thoughts would be appreciated?
>>>
>>>Thanks
>>>Gill
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Cichlids are sturdy, and usually heal well in good water like you
>>describe. I used to dab cichlid injuries with mercurichrome to be sure
>>they didn't get infected, *if* I could catch the fish without ripping
>>the tank apart. You can supposedly also use Neosporin cream, although I
>>haven't tried it. The ones that got badly beat up and needed treatment
>>the most were usually pretty easy to catch since they'd be up at the top
>>of the tank trying hard to look like an innocent bit of debris. ;-)
>>
>>If the tail loss was from suddenly severe aggression that is ongoing,
>>you'll probably have to get her safe and away from the stress to heal.
>>You can use breeding nets for small Africans, or for the betta. Then
>>the problem becomes reintroducing her to the tank without her getting
>>beat up again, so hopefully that's not an issue.
>>
>>--
>>Elaine T __
>>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
>
> Thanks Elaine,
> She seems to be keeping herself pretty well hidden - only coming out at food
> time - haven't noticed her actually eat though. The agressor is a male
> Electric Blue - the same one who had the assignation with her in the cave
> yesterday - so I wonder if it has something to do with this. All of the
> others seem to be leaving her alone.
>
> It's not going to be easy to catch her without dismantling the rock work
> which would be a major operation so I guess I'll just leave her be unless
> the situation gets worse.
>
> Gill
>
>
I wonder if she's refusing food and hiding because she's holding eggs.
Cichlids.com also says the males are very aggressive during courtship so
that could explain the tail damage. If she's holding eggs, her mouth
and throat will look a bit enlarged.
http://www.cichlids.com/wiki/index.php/Melanochromis_johannii

Do you have only one female in the tank? I've not kept this particular
fish but Cichlids.com and Mongabay say to keep several females for each
male. The male's aggression gets spread out that way.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Amateur Cichlids]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
> One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
> infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an
> assignation
> with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to
> watch.
>
> Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
> proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT tank
> is currently housing a Betta).
>
> Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of
> 7.5
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated?
>
> Thanks
> Gill
>

Out of curiosity, what size is your tank?
Tim
www.fishaholics.org

>
>
>

[Gill Passman]

"Amateur Cichlids" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> > One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
> > infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an
> > assignation
> > with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to
> > watch.
> >
> > Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
> > proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT
tank
> > is currently housing a Betta).
> >
> > Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of
> > 7.5
> >
> > Any thoughts would be appreciated?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Gill
> >
>
> Out of curiosity, what size is your tank?
> Tim
> www.fishaholics.org
>
> >
> >
> >
>
>

47.5UK gall - 200Litre

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
. com...
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >
> >>Gill Passman wrote:
> >>
> >>>One of my Electric Blues has lost part of her tail. There is no sign of
> >>>infection but she is keeping pretty much hidden. She also had an
> >
> > assignation
> >
> >>>with one of the males in a cave this afternoon, quite fascinating to
> >
> > watch.
> >
> >>>Should I just leave her be and monitor her progress or should I be more
> >>>proactive and possibly move her although I'm not sure where to (my QT
> >
> > tank
> >
> >>>is currently housing a Betta).
> >>>
> >>>Water tests out at 0 ammonia and nitrites, around 10 nitrates and pH of
> >
> > 7.5
> >
> >>>Any thoughts would be appreciated?
> >>>
> >>>Thanks
> >>>Gill
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>Cichlids are sturdy, and usually heal well in good water like you
> >>describe. I used to dab cichlid injuries with mercurichrome to be sure
> >>they didn't get infected, *if* I could catch the fish without ripping
> >>the tank apart. You can supposedly also use Neosporin cream, although I
> >>haven't tried it. The ones that got badly beat up and needed treatment
> >>the most were usually pretty easy to catch since they'd be up at the top
> >>of the tank trying hard to look like an innocent bit of debris. ;-)
> >>
> >>If the tail loss was from suddenly severe aggression that is ongoing,
> >>you'll probably have to get her safe and away from the stress to heal.
> >>You can use breeding nets for small Africans, or for the betta. Then
> >>the problem becomes reintroducing her to the tank without her getting
> >>beat up again, so hopefully that's not an issue.
> >>
> >>--
> >>Elaine T __
> >>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> >>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
> >
> >
> > Thanks Elaine,
> > She seems to be keeping herself pretty well hidden - only coming out at
food
> > time - haven't noticed her actually eat though. The agressor is a male
> > Electric Blue - the same one who had the assignation with her in the
cave
> > yesterday - so I wonder if it has something to do with this. All of the
> > others seem to be leaving her alone.
> >
> > It's not going to be easy to catch her without dismantling the rock work
> > which would be a major operation so I guess I'll just leave her be
unless
> > the situation gets worse.
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >
> I wonder if she's refusing food and hiding because she's holding eggs.
> Cichlids.com also says the males are very aggressive during courtship so
> that could explain the tail damage. If she's holding eggs, her mouth
> and throat will look a bit enlarged.
> http://www.cichlids.com/wiki/index.php/Melanochromis_johannii
>
> Do you have only one female in the tank? I've not kept this particular
> fish but Cichlids.com and Mongabay say to keep several females for each
> male. The male's aggression gets spread out that way.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

I was wondering the same thing....however I'm now officially confused....

The three fish I have were sold to me as one male and two females. All of
them are blue. Only one has egg spots. The injured fish is a very much paler
blue. The other "female" has darkened over the last few weeks to much the
same colour as the male but without the egg spots and has a yellow stripe on
the dorsal fin. Just sanity checked myself on some photos taken around 6
weeks ago and the "females" were more of a powder blue....they also appear
to have fewer stripes... Now from just doing a quick bit of "googling" it
would appear that the females should be yellow, but I did see a couple of
times that they can also be blue but paler. All 3 of them are now almost 3
inches long - as I said I am now officially confused....

Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
>
> I was wondering the same thing....however I'm now officially confused....
>
> The three fish I have were sold to me as one male and two females. All of
> them are blue. Only one has egg spots. The injured fish is a very much paler
> blue. The other "female" has darkened over the last few weeks to much the
> same colour as the male but without the egg spots and has a yellow stripe on
> the dorsal fin. Just sanity checked myself on some photos taken around 6
> weeks ago and the "females" were more of a powder blue....they also appear
> to have fewer stripes... Now from just doing a quick bit of "googling" it
> would appear that the females should be yellow, but I did see a couple of
> times that they can also be blue but paler. All 3 of them are now almost 3
> inches long - as I said I am now officially confused....
>
> Gill
>
Getting less confused. More Google searching (while procrastinating
homework ;-)) reveals that there is a fish sold as "Electric Blue
Jonannii" that was first named Melanochromis sp. "Maingano" and reanamed
to M. cyaneorhabdos. They have little dimorphism, with the females
usually but not always being lighter in color. The males also have
longer pelvic fins and the females sometimes have a yellow border to the
anal fin.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/m_cyaneorhabdos.php
http://www.tropheus.info/riftlakes/cichlids/melanochromis_cyaneorhabdos_e.html
has a pic of the dark male and lighter colored female.

Melanochromis jonannii always has the stroing dimorphism with females
solid yellow, or rarely yellow with a brown stripe.

So, I think you have M. cyaneorhabdos and I hope it's not two males and
a female!

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
> >
> > I was wondering the same thing....however I'm now officially
confused....
> >
> > The three fish I have were sold to me as one male and two females. All
of
> > them are blue. Only one has egg spots. The injured fish is a very much
paler
> > blue. The other "female" has darkened over the last few weeks to much
the
> > same colour as the male but without the egg spots and has a yellow
stripe on
> > the dorsal fin. Just sanity checked myself on some photos taken around 6
> > weeks ago and the "females" were more of a powder blue....they also
appear
> > to have fewer stripes... Now from just doing a quick bit of "googling"
it
> > would appear that the females should be yellow, but I did see a couple
of
> > times that they can also be blue but paler. All 3 of them are now almost
3
> > inches long - as I said I am now officially confused....
> >
> > Gill
> >
> Getting less confused. More Google searching (while procrastinating
> homework ;-)) reveals that there is a fish sold as "Electric Blue
> Jonannii" that was first named Melanochromis sp. "Maingano" and reanamed
> to M. cyaneorhabdos. They have little dimorphism, with the females
> usually but not always being lighter in color. The males also have
> longer pelvic fins and the females sometimes have a yellow border to the
> anal fin.
> http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/m_cyaneorhabdos.php
>
http://www.tropheus.info/riftlakes/cichlids/melanochromis_cyaneorhabdos_e.html
> has a pic of the dark male and lighter colored female.
>
> Melanochromis jonannii always has the stroing dimorphism with females
> solid yellow, or rarely yellow with a brown stripe.
>
> So, I think you have M. cyaneorhabdos and I hope it's not two males and
> a female!
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Spot on. In fact the female in question is a bit paler blue than that. The
other one now looks very similar to the female in the picture but was
originally the same pale blue - definitely no egg spots though....I'll wait
and see but there is no noticeable agression between the two. The male is
the spitting image of the picture.

She has come out of hiding again. The other "female" was quite aggresive
toward her but the male is going over to her and quivering at her and
wrapping himself around her rather than attacking or chasing. I'll keep a
close monitor - looks to me that it might be a mating that has gone
wrong....

[Gill Passman]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Gill Passman wrote:
> > >
> > > I was wondering the same thing....however I'm now officially
> confused....
> > >
> > > The three fish I have were sold to me as one male and two females. All
> of
> > > them are blue. Only one has egg spots. The injured fish is a very much
> paler
> > > blue. The other "female" has darkened over the last few weeks to much
> the
> > > same colour as the male but without the egg spots and has a yellow
> stripe on
> > > the dorsal fin. Just sanity checked myself on some photos taken around
6
> > > weeks ago and the "females" were more of a powder blue....they also
> appear
> > > to have fewer stripes... Now from just doing a quick bit of "googling"
> it
> > > would appear that the females should be yellow, but I did see a couple
> of
> > > times that they can also be blue but paler. All 3 of them are now
almost
> 3
> > > inches long - as I said I am now officially confused....
> > >
> > > Gill
> > >
> > Getting less confused. More Google searching (while procrastinating
> > homework ;-)) reveals that there is a fish sold as "Electric Blue
> > Jonannii" that was first named Melanochromis sp. "Maingano" and reanamed
> > to M. cyaneorhabdos. They have little dimorphism, with the females
> > usually but not always being lighter in color. The males also have
> > longer pelvic fins and the females sometimes have a yellow border to the
> > anal fin.
> > http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/m_cyaneorhabdos.php
> >
>
http://www.tropheus.info/riftlakes/cichlids/melanochromis_cyaneorhabdos_e.html
> > has a pic of the dark male and lighter colored female.
> >
> > Melanochromis jonannii always has the stroing dimorphism with females
> > solid yellow, or rarely yellow with a brown stripe.
> >
> > So, I think you have M. cyaneorhabdos and I hope it's not two males and
> > a female!
> >
> > --
> > Elaine T __
> > http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> > rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
> Spot on. In fact the female in question is a bit paler blue than that. The
> other one now looks very similar to the female in the picture but was
> originally the same pale blue - definitely no egg spots though....I'll
wait
> and see but there is no noticeable agression between the two. The male is
> the spitting image of the picture.
>
> She has come out of hiding again. The other "female" was quite aggresive
> toward her but the male is going over to her and quivering at her and
> wrapping himself around her rather than attacking or chasing. I'll keep a
> close monitor - looks to me that it might be a mating that has gone
> wrong....
>
>
She was feeding again this morning. Although there is an increase in the
number of fry that I can see in the tank I think that would be a little too
quick!!! I think the fry are probably more of the Lab fry that are now
starting to come out of hiding - only time will tell.

Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:

> She was feeding again this morning. Although there is an increase in the
> number of fry that I can see in the tank I think that would be a little too
> quick!!! I think the fry are probably more of the Lab fry that are now
> starting to come out of hiding - only time will tell.
>
> Gill

That does seem a bit quick for a mouthbrooder. I'm glad to hear she's
feeding again, though. She may have swallowed eggs if there was a
failed mating attempt and they weren't fertilized for some reason.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com