Angela_96

Ok after having a child w/ severe stomach issues and being severly underweight because of them I know what "failure to thrive" is... well I have bought all of my cichlids at exactly the same size... well in my mbuna tank I have a blue ahi that just hasn't grown... any.. now its just hanging midways in the tank all the time.. looking pittiful.. not sick.. the others don't pick on it.. I just don't know why its not growing? It eats like the rest...
Then in my mbuna fry tank.. I have 1 runt.. it hasn't grown since I bought them... the other 2 are twice its size...
Im guessing this is like everything else in nature? Somethings are just runts? failure to thrive? I love my ahi and baby it as w/ my other mbuna.. actually more because I worry about it not growing.. as w/ the other runt...
should I get the food w/ vitamins for them?

Allie

He could have parasites. That what my blue hap ahli was doing when he got sick last month. I just put him in a separate tank put the heat up to 83 and he was fine after a week and half.
All african cichlids don't have the same growing rate. Red Fin Borleyi are fast growers and Blue Dolphins are slow growers.

Angela_96

eeek... Im fresh out of safe q tanks... i have 1 w/ 2 small peacocks in it and the other has fry.. i need another tank... how would I know for sure if he has parasites? cause I know yours are like mine not brand new fish, and you are safe about adding fish and q'ing them first... hes a 1st round resident... so I know the parisites weren't just introduced.. whats happend? or what happend w/ yours?

Allie

He got weak from the move from his last tank and was getting beaten up by the Msobo. He got really dark, lethargic and his balance was off. Parasites will attack when your fish is weaken by whatever reasons.

Angela_96

theres really no reason for him to be weakened.. hes not been moved.. the tank temps have been a constant between 77-78 and ammonia, nitrite stay perfect -0-, nirate stays 10 or less... pH always 8... Unless... when the kenyi female went off the rocker about 2 weeks ago she got aggressive for a little while and maybe stressed im saying her because the colors are staying a consistant redish brown color? she never done anything to her but she chased everyone of the fish into their holes for days... then after a while she settled... and she has been calm since..

Allie

Maybe the fish is just timid or weak stock. It's really hard to say exactly what is wrong without sitting in front of the tank 24/7.

Angela_96

I am going to do a dose of melafix for the next 7 days just in case it has any infection not only for that I have one w/ a couple of fin nips.. maybe that will help... he/she seems to be okay..