Scratching Cichlids

I have noticed that a few of my cichlids would just be near the sand in my aquarium and then would turn sideways and do what seems to be scratching themselves. I have seen it happen 5 times. Twice with one fish and one time for three different fish. I read only that it could be caused by ich, but I can not spot anything on any of them. So what could this mean?

 

Have you recently added a fish without quarantining it?

 

Have you recently added a fish without quarantining it?

I have but there was a fish who was in there for a long time who did it once before the new fish were introduced.

 

Have you added anything like salt or anything like that to the tank? If it isn't ich it could just be something irritating them and they are trying to get it off.

 

Have you added anything like salt or anything like that to the tank? If it isn't ich it could just be something irritating them and they are trying to get it off.

There is no salt... the only thing I could think of is my nitrates are up. Still on the safe range of the scale but more than I want (I want a 0).

 

There is no salt... the only thing I could think of is my nitrates are up. Still on the safe range of the scale but more than I want (I want a 0).

Hopefully someone else will have some ideas then. An irritant is the only thing I could think of if it isn't ich.

Without a very heavily planted tank I think 0 nitrates will be difficult to get and keep. Personally I think 20 or lower is a more realistic number to try to keep a stocked tank at.

 

High nitrates can cause it. If it is happening just after a water change then it is a sharp change in your ph level.

 

They do it as said to scratch,to mark their scent,if their irritated, as a warming to others, if the ph is to low, KH to low. Try and keep track of when they do it. If I'm at the tank to long, mine start to do it as a "get back" usually they flare as well. If they are all doing it often, something is most likely bothering them, if it's one here and there I wouldn't worry. Adding some salt has always helped stop mine if they do it to much.