Altolamprologus compressiceps and water changes

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

About two weeks ago, I got two Altolamprologus compressiceps. Since then, I performed a 25% water change and, last night, I topped off about 10 gal to my 220 gal.

Both times, my compressiceps ended up resting on the bottom, breathing very slowly, and even leaning to the side. For more than 30 min. Granted, I used cold water (main house water pipe), but I added it over 45 min when I did the 25% water change. Furthermore, the 10 gal last night cannot have had any impact on the temperature. I used different conditioners (Prime and Sera), which obviously didn't make a difference.

Do any of you have experience with Altolamprologus compressiceps being very sensitive to fresh water? Any other ideas?

Thanks,
HarleyK

 

[fsc46]

they are very sensitive to water temp changes. even one degree. cold water does not "mix" with hot water in a matter of a second. if you don't think so fill up a small tank with hot water only and and a cup of cold water to it. you will actually see the cold water flowing in the tank for a while. when adding water to your tank make sure it has conditioners in it and pour it into your filter if you have one that hangs off the back. good luck. hope the info helped. BTW this is from personal experience and it saved mine.

 

[grenade3]

mix water in a large plastic trash can before you do the change, if you have room for one, buy a seperate heater and get the temp up ahead of time. then you can pump it in or just use small buckets to pour it in. this is a good way to not shock fish, if you have the room again!

 

[nuthinbutcichlids]

ive never had any problems with my alto.comps when doing water changes/fresh water. they actually like swimming in the currant when i apply the new water.

 

[trplxj]

ive never had any problems with my alto.comps when doing water changes/fresh water. they actually like swimming in the currant when i apply the new water.

same here, mine go crazy when I do water changes.

 

[Havoc]

There's a lot of talk about Alto's being hyper sensitive to pH changes. I've heard first-hand accounts of them dying b/c of pH buffer salt being poured in the area they were swimming. It's just a though, but the differences in pH may have more to do with the problem than the water temp.

 

[mike dunagan]

you got it that time... MY comps and calvus love water changes, but in INdiana we have naturally high PH and hard water... I only buffer by mistake, ya know with agronite as sand and some tuffa rock... If it is the ph change, think about going to a drip system...