Topic: Re: Somethings wrong with my convict too

[Doe]

OMG! My male convict is acting the same way. Im not sure if it's cause he's just getting to old or something. He usually has sooo much energy and is always fighting with the female, but today I found his belly big and his mouth was wider then usual. He's been swimming very slowly and has been dazed at the bottom of the tank, not really moving at all. Im really worried. The female is up and about with energy. But im concerned about him. He's never acted this way...and for sure he's male cause the smaller one has red on her belly. Or maybe I have them mixed up!? "Pouts" Anyone have any advice?

[Adam]

What size is the tank?  And as suggested do a full set of water quality tests.  99% of all problems in the aquarium stem from water quality unless you just happened to start out with a diseased fish from day 1.  Those two and the pleco should be in a minimum of a 20 gallon tank, and ideally I would say they should be alone without the pleco.  So if the tank is smaller then that it could be stress mixed with water quality.  Because he used to be alone he never really concerned himself with breeding to any large degree, but now with a female present if he cant provide a secure nesting site, it may be stressing him quite badly.

[Adam]

Most cichlids regardless of size seem to live closer to 8-12 years on average, so 5 isnt that far off but he still should have probably lived a few more years.  What is the tank size and filtration?

[moneygetter1]

  Sorry to hear about 'Max'. I agree w/ the others. Test your water parameters to make sure all is well. What size tank & filtration are you using??  "T"