I have a sick cichlid................

It has a torn up tail, the main fin is slightly torn. It still eats. Is
there a problem with it? I have a twenty gallon tank with five cichlids
in it. Could they be fighting as well?

" wrote in
ups.com:

It has a torn up tail, the main fin is slightly torn. It still eats. Is
there a problem with it? I have a twenty gallon tank with five cichlids
in it. Could they be fighting as well?

Cichlids are notorious for aggression, a damaged caudal fin is a sure sign
of it.

What sort of cichlids do you keep? 20 gallons can be small for Africans or
Central Americans depending on the size and species. If cichlids are
unable to avoid aggression by fleeing or hiding it will eventually lead to
stress, injury, and death.

I suggest you try using Melafix to help speed the healing unless the injury
looks heavily infected. Some signs of infection can be redness,
inflammation, excessive slime shed, stringy white material, or sharp
bristle-like hairs. If the aggression continues no medication will be of
much help.

Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an honest
answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30 long minimum
for 5 africans.

FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an honest
answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30 long minimum
for 5 africans.

I have just gotten a new tank( its only 10 gallons) to house the
stressed out fish. I live in an apartment with wood floors(2nd floor),
so I cant use anymore than this. I now have 4 fish in the upper tank,
and 2 fish in the lower tank. I also have gotten a bunch of new plants
and a flowerpot as well. I hope this will work out. Thanks for the help
guys.

I have a sick cichlid................

Group: rec.aquaria.freshwater.cichlids Date: Wed, Oct 25, 2006, 10:07am
(CST-1) From:
FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an honest
answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30 long minimum
for 5 africans.

I have just gotten a new tank( its only 10 gallons) to house the
stressed out fish. I live in an apartment with wood floors(2nd floor),
so I cant use anymore than this. I now have 4 fish in the upper tank,
and 2 fish in the lower tank. I also have gotten a bunch of new plants
and a flowerpot as well. I hope this will work out. Thanks for the help
guys.

..... That ought to do it. I too, live in a second floor apt, with wood
floors holding two 55 gallon longs. I hope your not telling me they'll
end up on my neighbors floor someday eh?..lol. I have had them set up
here for 4 mos. now as I moved in at that time.

FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
I have a sick cichlid................

Group: rec.aquaria.freshwater.cichlids Date: Wed, Oct 25, 2006,
10:07am (CST-1) From:
FEAR_THE_ SWAMP wrote:
Certainly being attacked by one or all the other cichlids. For an
honest answer, I'd strongly recommend a bigger tank. You need a 30
long minimum for 5 africans.

I have just gotten a new tank( its only 10 gallons) to house the
stressed out fish. I live in an apartment with wood floors(2nd floor),
so I cant use anymore than this. I now have 4 fish in the upper tank,
and 2 fish in the lower tank. I also have gotten a bunch of new plants
and a flowerpot as well. I hope this will work out. Thanks for the
help guys.

.... That ought to do it. I too, live in a second floor apt, with wood
floors holding two 55 gallon longs. I hope your not telling me they'll
end up on my neighbors floor someday eh?..lol. I have had them set up
here for 4 mos. now as I moved in at that time.

Very unlikely... the wooden joists beneath the floorboards can support far
more load than most aqaurium cabinets.



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