Blue Dolphin Male not eating....kinda Odd, please read...

[chopsteeks]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

n/a

If yes, what is your nitrate?

20 ppm

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

31-40%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I have a male Blue Dolphin Cichlid, around 8" not eating. This started yesterday....but the odd part.

The previous evening, he dethroned the 10" Taiwan Reef cichlid as the king of the tank. In fact he was chasing the Taiwan Reef for a good 15-20 minutes, I suspect to let the Taiwan Reef that he was now in charge. Nothing violent, just harassing him.

Yesterday morning, everything was normal...then evening came.

I usually feed them Spiraling laced brine shrimp....the new King of the Tank did not even acknowledge it was feeding time. The Taiwan Reef did the same..

This morning, I fed them their usual NLS pellets...The Blue Dolphin did not eat, the dethroned Taiwan Reef ate like usual. All other fish ate in the tank ate as usual.

Also, the new king did chase the Taiwan Reef a little.....

Any clues ? Is it time to dose the tank with General Cure ?

Water Parameters checked last night....

Ammonia - 0
Nitrates - 20 ppm

 

[deeda]

I don't see a reason to medicate at this time.

Wait it out a few days to see if he gets his appetite back, they can go a couple weeks without eating.

 

[BIG-G]

+1 I see no reason to medicate.
Fish occasionally go without eating. In fact I fast all my fish one day per week sometimes two days separated by a couple days.
It may be that he is preoccupied with maintaining his newly gain status.
I would just pay attention and feed as normal.

 

[chopsteeks]

Thanks Deeda.....

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

20 ppm of NO3 is on the high side, you ideally want no more than 5 ppm (as per duanes).
I'd suggest permanently increasing the water replacements to a routine that keeps it that low (say, 50 percent or more replacements 3 or more times a week instead of just 21-30 percent replacement once a week) to prevent future health problems. It may even get your 2 males eating again.

 

[chopsteeks]

Fish is eating like a pig again.

What I suspect happened was I fed large pellets which I feed my Frontosas. The Dolphin is a greedy eater, he like ate too much. No more large pellets !!

MTS - Yes I am working on lowering the nitrates. Thx.

 

[deeda]

Thanks for the update and glad the fish is back to eating normally.