"Dick" wrote in message
news
On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 01:37:04 -0500, coolchinchilla
wrote:

coolchinchilla wrote:

I don't want to lose him. I'm really afraid for him. I don't know
what
to do. Any links?


Ok... I read that you should put a stressed fish into a hospital
tank. I don't have a spare tank for a hospital. I have however set
up a 2-gal bucket with aquarium water, sponge filter from the large
tank, small heater and a thermometer. Will that be ok for a
hospital tank at least for now?

I tried to catch the fish but found I couldn't get him. I was
stressing everybody by turning on lights, net, etc. Anyway, I
couldn't tell which of my 2 labs was stressed because everyone was
stressed by that point. So I will let everyone sleep for now and
see how things are in the morning. Not the best, I know, but I'm
not sure what else to do.

If things are still looking bad for my stressed fish, other than
putting him in the hospital bucket, what should I do for him? Let
him just hang out there for a few days?

Thanks

coolchinchilla (worried fish keeper)


Personally I would leave the fish in the tank and not add to its
stress by being alone in a strange place. Without symptoms that are
clearly indication of a specific illness, I fear you will have to let
nature take its course. The advantage of a hospital tank is the
ability to use medications and not have to worry about contagion or
damage to other species by the medication.

I have had problems with individual fish after moving plants and
ornaments around. I quit stirring the gravel except for very specific
changes. I don't even clean the gravel during my twice weekly partial
water changes. I also note and agree with your reluctance to chase a
fish causing havoc with the other fish.

If the problem is stress the best treatment, in my opinion, is to
leave the tank alone. Perhaps, leave the light off for a day or two
and do nothing to stress the fish more.

dick

The problem with Mbunas is once you remove the fish it is very difficult to
reintroduce it to the tank.

I've had a Malawi tank since Feb. In that time I lost two Rusty cichlids
down to "in fighting"....I moved the third because the other fish were
picking on her and I could see her going the same way....after three
uncomfortable days with my Betta she went back to the shop (at the earliest
opportunity)

I have three Melanchronis cyaneorhabdos (plus at least three fry now the
size of tetras). The last time they spawned the poor female ended up with
very little tail and shredded fins - once the fry were released she
recovered. Right now the same thing has happened - the tail and fins which
had grown back are gone again - the last few days she was moping and not
feeding and looking very stressed - I even thought she had also been
"finished off" by the others. Tonight she is swimming (sort of) around
again.

One of my female Maylandia Lombardoi has also lost most of her tail and has
been hanging around looking very miserable for a few days....again I think
this may have been a spawning incident.

I have some fry that I have not identified - I'm wondering if these are a
result of what I have assumed are bullying incidents.

When I first thought of setting up the Malawi tank I read that they were
aggressive but nothing prepared me for the reality. I'm starting to wonder
if I really want to keep these fish - but it might just be a bad phase on my
part...The male Maylandia and the male Melanchronis are just mean IMO.

Good luck
Gill