UNTAMED

I Am New 2 The Fish World, When I Say New I Mean My Tank Has Been Running For 2 Months. I Have A Cichlid That Has Been In My Tank Since The Start And Has Always Been Well. He Often Is In His Cave And Comes Out 2 Feed I Took This As Normal Behaviour. He Is Now Out Of His Cave And Has Been For 5 Or So Hours Now He Is Sitting On The Bottom Of The Tank Slightly Tilted To The Side And Breathing Very Heavy And Deep Not Moving Much At All Except For An Occasional Hiccup (he Lifts Of The Floor In A Sudden Movement Almost Like A Hicup) I Had Some Other Fish That Had Whitspot A Week Or So Ago And Treated With Proper Medication. Also My Tank Is Very Well Airrated And The pH And Temp Are Fine. Please Help Me Fix Him As He Is A Good Peace Keeper And I Do Not Wish To Lose Him. If Any One Can Help Please Please Do!!!! Thanks

Lucy

Hi UNTAMED welcome to Fish Lore

There's a few things we'll need to know to help you.

What size tank do you have?
Is it cycled?
What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates?
What are you using to test the water?
What else is in the tank and how many of each?
Have you introduced any new fish recently?
When was the last time you changed the water?

Heavy breathing can be a sign of ammonia poisoning.
I'd start with a good water change.
Sorry for all the questions but the answers will help others help you.

Edit: Whoa Kate we answered at the same time.

capekate

Hello and welcome to fishlore
Im sorry to hear about your cichlid. Can you give us some more info in order for us to help you further?
What is your water change routine? Have you tested the water perimeters such as the nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels? If you have, can you let us know what the numbers are?
What other fish do you have in the tank.. what type of cichlid is this, and what size is your tank?
These answers can help determine what may be going on with your lil guy.
thanks, ~ kate

capekate

ahhh Lucy... you got the post in as I was typing! lol..

Lucy

LOL, I just edited my post to say that!

UNTAMED

1 X Cichlid, 2 X Silver Sharks, 1 X Rainbow Shark, 1 x Albino Rainbow Shark, 2 X Corydoras Catfish, 2 X Kuhli Loach. Tank size is 600mm x 300mm x 250mm. I have tested the ph it is reading 6.9, my temp is set to 25 degrees celcuis, it is a cycled tank using a powerhead filter with air injection also i have an airstone. It is a planted tank aswell i have no idea on what plants are called or rthe type of cichlid i have. thanks for your quick replys

UNTAMED

sorry also i have no test kit for nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels

Allie

What kind of cichlid? Show a pix. There are 1000s of species of cichlids...you need to be specific.

Lucy

Without know the water parameters, there's really no way to know if your tank is cycled.
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

I'd still say to do a water change and suggest you get a test kit. The API master kit is very reliable, stay away from the strips, they're inaccurate.
I stick with my original answer that there's probably an ammonia reading and water changes should help this.
The members who know about cichlids can pitch in and let us know if this is wrong and advise on temp and PH.

Good luck

UNTAMED

ok i am unsure of its name it was brought for me i am searching for a picture of one now, if it helps he is and earthy brown colour with a large untidy darker spots on body he also has a fin on top that extends his whole body lenth and has red tips when he lifts it, his head and tail are covered in the dark spots also but they are smaller and close together. i will find a photo soon i hope thanks

UNTAMED

thanks lucy i will do a water change as you suggested, and get a test kit 1st thing tomorrow, Also i have been do regular water changes 20% every day as i had cloudy water and this is what i was told 2 do

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!! sorry your fishies are sick

when you get the test kit, pick up some prime if your store has it...that locks down the ammonia and nitrites for 24 hours until your next water change...goodluck!

UNTAMED

Thank You All So Much I Never Expected Such Help And Kindness, You Are All Legends

Lucy

Your welcome, and that's right, to change the water daily until the tank cycles, but I'd up it to 50% today and test as soon as you get your kit.

I hope he's feeling better soon.

UNTAMED

IM PRETTY SURE LIKE 97% SURE THIS IS WHAT HE IS

UNTAMED

if it is ammonia and nitrates how long will he last

Lucy

Nitrites would be more worry than nitrates, they're much more toxic.
Water changes and Prime will be your best friend if it's an ammonia issue.
If you do 50% it's possible you'll see an improvement today, but really it depends on the readings and how long they've been elevated, if they are.
Remember, this is only a guess on my part.
Are the other fish showing any signs of distress?

Fishies-for-me

Woah......that is only a 10-12 gallon tank as near as I can figure out....you are way overstocked in there and that could be the root of the problem. As stated above water changes ,water changes , and more water changes are your best friend now....good luck.