What is Wrong with my African Cichlid?

The base of his fins are red, and he has started to clamp his fins occasionally. He also has a decreased appetite.

My water quality is quite poor right now, nitrates are quite high and has been so for a couple of days. Ive been doing multiple small water changes daily.

I don't think its from physical damage, unless he injured it on decor, but both bases of fins are affected.

 

Hi, welcome to Fishlore!

Can you give us some more info?

Tank size and tank mates (specific species and numbers)?
Water parameters (pH, temp, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates)?
How much water are you changing and how often?

I'd move to larger water changes - as long as the new water is close to the old water (in pH, temp, etc.), larger changes are almost always better.

 

I do not have specific numbers, due to a lack of a test kit. However, I got my water tested 2 days ago at my LFS, and they told me my ammonia was fine, but my nitrates were high. I don't know about my nitrites, or pH... but the temperature of my tank is usually around 77-81F.

My cichlid actually only has a 20 gallon, divided into 3/4. So 15 gallons, and is all alone in the 15 gallon. On the other side I have a small platy that I got about a week ago.I know, I should have a bigger tank and more than one cichlid. But I was unaware and uneducated 4 years ago when I purchased this fish.

My water changes are 10% in the morning when I wake up, followed by 2-4 more , 5%/10% changes later on in the afternoon. I separate these changes by 1-2 hours, as I'm worried that I changing too much water might put my fish into nitrate shock, or pH shock. My water changes add up to about 25% by the end of the day.

 

Looks like nitrate or ammonia poisoning but you said ammonia was good so that only leaves nitrates. Keep up with the water changes and he should pull through

 

Looks like nitrate or ammonia poisoning but you said ammonia was good so that only leaves nitrates. Keep up with the water changes and he should pull through

How much longer should I continue water changes? And can doing them too frequently be bad?

 

As long as your tap water is close to your tank water it should be fine. Keep up with the changes till your nitrates are below 20. Gotta get a test kit. Or make many trips to the Lfs lol

 

As long as your tap water is close to your tank water it should be fine. Keep up with the changes till your nitrates are below 20. Gotta get a test kit. Or make many trips to the Lfs lol

I did a bit more research, do you think this might be hemorrhagic septicemia? Do you think I should wait or treat asap?

Heres another pic, do you think this might be pop-eye? I'm really worried :/

 

I can't tell from that pic. But I can say that beine exposed to a lot of nitrates weakens the immune system therefore the fish is more susceptible to other infections.
I'm not familiar with the treatment for Popeye so I cannot help with that but until you start any kind of treatment keep doing water changes.

 

I believe that ur ph is on the the more acidic side because I had the same symptoms happen to my African cichlid and unfortunately he diedhe was one of my favorite. Anyway that's what happened to my African, he wasn't eating and the base of his fins were red and started clamping his fins. So I think u should get some ph increase at ur lfs and see if that improves ur African cichlid's health. And in general, Africans prefer higher ph than 7.hope this helps

 

Hmmm okay, ill keep doing water changes then. My city's tap water has a water pH of
approx. 7-8

 

Help I think he has popeye!!

 

It doesn't look like popeye to me. Can you get a GH and KH kit and get the exact measurements?

 

I think my cichlid has septicemia! Help please.

A few days ago, I noticed that the joint that connects his side fins and his body are red. I asssumed it was nothing and as precaution, all I did was water changes and add aquarium salt. Today I noticed his eyes were bulging and cloudy. Also, the fin on the right side of his body is usually clamped. What should I do? Should I use meds: If yes: What meds should I use? Tetracyline or Triple Sulfa (The 2 available to me). A=



Single African Cichlid in 20 Gallon Tank
Aquarium Salt Concentration of 2 Tbsp per 20 Gallons
Filter: Active
Temperature: 84F
Right now no water parameters available.

 

Threads have been merged so all the informations is in one place

 

The eye is cloudy too, heres some more pictures.



Maybe this could be Aeromonas?

 

That was exactly my fish. Honestly same color and everything.

 

Any luck on GH and KH?

 

GH and KH seem fine, I've started treating him with triple sulfa.

 

GH and KH seem fine, I've started treating him with triple sulfa.

Seem fine? Did you test them?

 

Tested when I was at my LFS purchasing triple sulfa. Oh and do you predissolve triple sulfa? The directions say add directly to aquarium, so I didnt pre-dissolve.

 

And what were the levels when your LFS tested them?

I usually scoop out a cup of tank water and dissolve dry meds in that, and then pour into tank. But adding directly to tank is fine if it dissolves easily.

 

They didnt tell me the exact measurements, just that the GH and KH levels were good for African cichlids.

 

I wouldn't trust fish store employees. Many don't know. I'd have them retest and write down the exact numbers.

 

Okay, and also he has started flashing. Do you think this is a symptom of septicemia/popeye, a reaction to the meds, or a parasitic infection in addition to the septicemia/popeye? No other symptoms of ich/parasites other than flashing. Though I did have an ich outbreak with another fish about 3-5 days ago.

 

I don't think he has popeye. Could be ich, or could be another infection. Also not convinced it's septicemia (but I could easily be wrong).

I'd increase your water change frequency and amount if you haven't already.

I'd also invest in your own test kit and GH/KH kit. Write down the exact numbers your fish store gives you for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, GH, and KH.