2" cichla kirkin' out, need some advice

[ado124]

My 2" cichla is spazin out He'll try and eat bloodworms occasionally but I've seen him miss on several occasions. That's not the wierd part. Every once in awhile he'll flip out and swim upside down... Then he'll flip out some more and do the "let me out of the tank" dance (like when a dolphin is on it's tail but the cichla's doesn't get that high up). He'll calm down and look COMPLETELY normal again.

I'm worried about the guy and having been doing daily 10-20% WC on the 20L tank but I feel like the WC's are stressin him out. I added some salt to the tank as well. The other cichla in the tank are a lot fatter but they have wierd dark spots (similiar to other fish I've had when water quality isn't to their liking). I've checked the water and its 0 0 and 40ppm for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates respectively. Is he going to make it? I would hate to lose him as he has some serious potential

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Andrew​

 

[unknownuza13]

Sorry I had to edit my post because I read yours incorrectly. I thought you had said 40 ppm of ammonia. Good luck to you.

 

[BPags52]

This is just a total guess, but maybe the nitrates are stressing it out...maybe bump up the water changes to 30-40%...

Is the temperature of the water you're adding close to the tank temp?

Some more experienced members can probably give you a better response...

 

[ado124]

The temperatures feel the same to the touch. I didn't think a 30-40% WC would be wise with such a small tank. Maybe I'll try two 20% WC a day spread apart.

 

[silverdragon]

I don't the think the daily water changes of 20% or so are wise right now..
How long have you been doing this for?
What's the temp of the water and are you adding anything after your water changes?
What's his tankmates?

 

[ado124]

I don't the think the daily water changes of 20% or so are wise right now..
How long have you been doing this for?
What's the temp of the water and are you adding anything after your water changes?
What's his tankmates?

Alright, I'll cut back the WC's. I've been doing this since I've noticed the blotches, so about 3-5 days?
I have the temp at 84*. I fill a bucket with the WC water and add AmQuel to it waiting a bit before pouring it into the tank.
Only tank mates are rosies too big to eat and 4 other 2" cichla

thanks for the help so far.

 

[srikamaraja]

If the other Cichla seem to be doing well, it may be prudent to QT the problem child...
Best of luck.

 

[silverdragon]

have you got pics of the blothces, did they just suddenly appear?
Bump the temp to 86. Have you been adding salt?

 

[ado124]

have you got pics of the blothces, did they just suddenly appear?
Bump the temp to 86. Have you been adding salt?

I'll try and take some pix tonight after work. I'll raise the temps as well.

Yes, I've been adding salt. Not very much though. i'd say less than 3 tblspn. I haven't been consistent with adding the salt with WC so the salinity is probably really low. Should I be adding salt? If so, how much?

 

[channarox]

dark blotches?
could just be stress marks.
they tend to show alot when young.
get a pic.

im not sure whats going wrong here,especially since every other fish is fine.
he still tries to eat?
could be an individual problem.
like a birth defect.
im not too sure.