Topic: Aggression problem or Unpreventable occurance?

[gaglio]

Hi i was wondering if anyone could help me with some advice as to what i should do with a problem I've been having. Several months ago i set up a 40gallon hex tank. I know the problems Ive heard regarding the need for lots of territory but the tank has a swim through giant rock formation so i thought that this would help solve that. So I originally cycled the tank for about 2 weeks and then added 3 fish from a new lfs(the only available one in the area)(1ice blue zebra, 1 albino scolfioli? and a melanochromis chipokae) and from the start one of the fish appeared sick(chipokae), and it unfortunately died the next day and was able to get a replacement that lasted 2 days... At this point i didn't want to risk buying anymore sick fish from the store, so i would hold off for a while. Since I am away at college i was then able to go home 2 weeks later and collect 4 juvenile QB peacocks and a yellow lab from my tank at my Parents house. I drove them them the 4 hours back to school and put them in the tank immediately because i cant bring a Hospital tank here.. I checked all the water parameters and everything was normal and under control so i thought there would be no harm in this. After 3 days 1 of the fish(M peacock) appeared to have a mouth injury,which was strange because i never saw them any real fighting, so i thought the aloe vera in the stress coat chemical i had would suffice. Nope.. this fish died and then the next day the 2 other died of similar strange deaths. and then the other did 2 days after that. After this i was left with 2 fish that remained fine for the next month with no problems whatsoever. So after convincing myself everything was back in check i decided to buy 3 more fish, 3 melanochromis cyaneorhabos. they all appeared very healthy and in good health so, i brought them back and the next morning i noticed on one of the fishes body right before the tail started, a dark mark that appeared irregular. The fish was still active and healthy so i dismissed it. 2 days later I noticed it turned white and appeared to be fungus so i went to the store and bought PimaFix. I treated it for 7 days and the fungus went down and then reappeared a little on day 5, but not as bad. now its day 8 and all fish are still alive but still a little fungus on the tail. What should I do? I am bewildered at this. Any help is appreciated!

[callen]

Sorry for your losses.  Lets hope that was the end.

Can you give us the water parameters of the tank so we can narrow down what the issue may not be.   

My feeling is this fish needs a little boost to the immune system, so would also add vitamins to the diet. 

If that does not work would try and get an antibiotic called Gel Tek Neomycin.  You can add it the fishes food.

[gaglio]

I cant tell you that my pH is 8.4.No Nitrates or Nitrites. Would it be possible to store put the infected fish in a 5 gallon bucket with a aerate and treat it separate because now i think its due to aggression and it cant heal fully with the other fish. Or would that be too traumatic?

[gaglio]

Also i feed a a food pellet that is called new lifes spectrum cichlid formula along with thera +A that has good vitamins in it. I could get some vegetables from the store or frozen fish food from the store.

[callen]

I would try feeding veggies before moving and see if that helps.  Spinach leaves, cucumbers and leafy lettuce. 

The pellet food your feeding is a good one.

It's important to test the water and highly recommend getting a test master test kit. 

[altaaffe]

No Nitrite or Nitrate would suggest that your tank hasn't cycled if it's not planted, did you get an ammonia reading?

As for the aggression issues, it's recommended to only keep a single of any melanochromis species - especially in such a small tank.

The New Life Spectrum for Africans is a good food which seems to be well received by them but you do need to mix it up and it will do them good to have a little of something like prawn, bloodworm, brineshrimp from frozen.

Mine also enjoy the homemade food which is packed with veggies, fish, prawn, vitamins and garlic

[gaglio]

I need to get a test kit to do it accurately.. no ammonia but the tank has been cycled and I had the ls do a water check for me and he said all the parameters were correct and the water wasn't the problem. The 3 melanochromis i have keep to themself and quarrel between themselves. The Yellow Lab and Ice Blue are both larger and the melanos dont mess. Ya I agree about the vegetables and will get some frozen. So if this is done should i continue with my plan to treat the single injured fish in the aerated bucket?

[altaaffe]

Unless you've got a separate way of filtering the water in it then no, you're only going to introduce poor water quality to it whilst trying to medicate it.

I'd do a large water change to make sure parameters are OK in the tank and treat the tank seeing as it is a smaller tank.  If you want to separate it you could stick a screen in to give it a portion of the tank to itself.