Topic: Sudden problems

[Dale]

Hi everyone.
   After all this time with no problems since the five footer was set up I've had a couple things happen in the last few days!
First off I noticed in the week that my Thread Fin Acara was acting out of sorts. Usually very active and very willing to feed he was hanging around one top corner of the tank looking glum. At times I've seen him have trouble kind of staying upright and moving as fluidly as he did. Also well off his food. He has no visible marks or signs of common aquarium illness so I am a little stumped as to why he was fine one day and not the next!

Before I go on, water conditions are- Nitrates, virtually zilch
                                                  Amonia, 0
                                                   Nitrite, 0
                                                   Ph, 5.5 (more acidic than I'd like)

Now, when I came home last night and went to have a look at how he was getting on, I realised the largest Choc (male) had a big white thing on one of his eyes, his head covered in tiny scars. And right before me he shot out and chased away the Severem and started lip locking with the Smaller Choc (I've always guessed female). It occurred to me then that maybe the thread fin's mysterious illness might be the result of coming a cropper from the Chocs behaviour and taking a knock, or even just stress from their activity. does anyone think this likely? I'm guessing the Chocs are courting?

I've just this minute watched them both pushing at each other head on and swim off to separate areas. that seems more territorial than breeding?

Cheers guys. 
   

[Gerry]

the hiding in the top corner is usually a sign of hiding from an aggressor, so I would guess its took a dunt or being bullied by the choc cichlid/s

[Katt]

Agree with Gerry.

Can you make some more hidding place, or try to brake the line of sight ?

[Stormbringer]

highly possible the chocs had something to do with it

[Dale]

Agree with Gerry.

Can you make some more hidding place, or try to brake the line of sight ?

I had the same notion as soon as I'd seen the Chocs at it so spent an hour in the evening placing a few more caves in quite spots. Although, always being more of an open swimmer the Thread Fin doesn't seem to want or have the sense to use them! He's still not right and It's so frustrating, I have two spare tanks, filters, and lighting, but the heater my brother bought me at Christmas doesn't work properly (faulty Thermostat I think). If it wasn't for that the Thread Fin or the Chocs would be separated. I think my only option is to see if Kev down Maidenhead Aquatics will take the female Choc off my hands. I never intended to have two in the first place and knew that if they turned out opposite sexes I'd have problems in the future!

And why is it when you end up with a pair of cichlids that want to get it on they end up planting themselves right in the middle of the tank!   

[Dale]

   OK. Not long after my last post yesterday I had an E-mail from an acquaintance who has been into Americans for far longer than I have, who said he would be more than happy to take the Female Choc. It's actually the same guy I swapped the O with so I know for certain She'll be going to a really good home which is a relief. So all good there.

The Thread fin Is still a bit Dodge but not any worse so I take hope in that for the moment. Will be gutted if he goes as he's been doing so well and was fast becoming the show fish of the tank!

Will keep you posted.

Cheers everyone. 

[Gerry]

Thanks for the update 

[Dale]

Hi everyone.

Well things have sadly gone from bad to worse. Firstly, I lost the Thread fin a couple of days after my last post which was a bummer. Secondly, I'm about to lose my remaining Choc (male) after all the trouble of re-homing the female! He took a good dent on his face while being a bit too feisty with the female and sustained an injury which quickly went fungal. I added a heavy dose of salts and waited to see what happened.

After three days the salts had slowed down the rate of infection but that was about it, so I moved on to a fungal med. After two days the fungal growth was gone (one interesting observation was seeing the Rosy barb cleaning the fungal flower from the wound, which the Choc let him do. I also think this helped) and the wound all but healed over. By day three you could barely tell there was ever any wound in the first place, and the Choc was back to his old self and feeding heartily, which was great. I did one more treatment to be on the safe side and the day after made a water change.
But then a couple days ago he developed hole in the head in three areas and his mouth/lips have swelled disgustingly. This infection came on really bloody quickly(in a matter of hours) and caught me completely off guard. It is now clear, due to a slight swelling over the original wounded area, that a bacterial infection had got hold.

I did another 50% water change to remove any of the old meds and got straight on to a salts and Bacterial control med double wammy. But at the moment It doesn't look like he's going to win this one.      

[callen]

Sorry to hear about this.  With the swelling happening so fast I would add pure epsom salts as this will help draw out any fluid build up.  1 tbl for every 5 gals.  Don't be afraid to use more as it's really hard to over dose epsom salts.  This also will work will with meds.  I do hope he pulls through.  What medicine are you using? 

[Dale]

Thanks Callen.

At the moment King British Bacteria Control and Before that King British Fungal Control. Can't use both together which is bloody annoying but it was all I could get my hands on. Also Tonic salt. He's Deteriorating fast.
Failed to mention in last post that he's in QT tank.

[callen]

Anyway you can get some stronger antbiotic? 

IMO would do some large water changes aand leave out the salt.

[Dale]

Choc was dead this morning 
I know Chocs are prone to infection when they damage themselves, but I've never seen something take hold so quick!
Poor sod was a mess.

I'm Gutted, and I know it's all part and parcel of keeping fish but at the moment feel like giving up!

[callen]

Dale I'm so sorry you lost Chocs! 

I can understand how you feel...give it sometime before making any decisions.  Hang in there (HUGS) 

[Gerry]

I'm Gutted, and I know it's all part and parcel of keeping fish but at the moment feel like giving up!

been there bud, but hang in there as the feeling will pass and new fish will get you going again.

[Dale]

Cheers guys. I love Chocolates but not sure I'd get another one after this. A lessen learnt though I suppose!