Cichlids fins clamped seems skinny

[Morticia]

So petco gave me this guy for free. I had to rest my Fahaka Puffers tank and I'm taking this time to introduce some cichlids. I did plenty of research before making the decision to try this and I have a back up tank if they don't work out together. I wanted the blue one, but this little guy was so sad looking. He is active, guarding his cave, and eating none of which are signs of a sick fish. He started to color up within 24 hours, but something's not right. His fins are clamped except when he's defending and he seems skinny. I'm hoping clean water, a good bio net, and a mix of good food will help him. I've been looking up sicknesses and nothing seems to fit. Thanks in advance.

 

[tlindsey]

[QUOTexactly do you mean by resting ="Morticia, post: 7807559, member: 150946"]So petco gave me this guy for free. I had to rest my Fahaka Puffers tank and I'm taking this time to introduce some cichlids. I did plenty of research before making the decision to try this and I have a back up tank if they don't work out together. I wanted the blue one, but this little guy was so sad looking. He is active, guarding his cave, and eating none of which are signs of a sick fish. He started to color up within 24 hours, but something's not right. His fins are clamped except when he's defending and he seems skinny. I'm hoping clean water, a good bio net, and a mix of good food will help him. I've been looking up sicknesses and nothing seems to fit. Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]






So did you add the Cichlid in your established healthy aquarium with your Fahaka?

 

[Morticia]

The Fahaka is in a separate tank at the moment. The cichlids needed to go in first to establish themselves. I seeded the tank and allowed my tetras to reside in the tank before adding the cichlids in. The orange one has shown improvement since being introduced to the big tank. He colored up and became more active. The tanks at Petco aren't maintained properly. The blue cichlid came from the same tank and is in the same tank currently. He and the Tetras are all doing well. This orange one looks odd, but had no symptoms of being sick.

 

[Morticia]

Here's the tank and the other cichlid.

 

[Morticia]

This is the orange one.

 

[tlindsey]

The Fahaka is in a separate tank at the moment. The cichlids needed to go in first to establish themselves. I seeded the tank and allowed my tetras to reside in the tank before adding the cichlids in. The orange one has shown improvement since being introduced to the big tank. He colored up and became more active. The tanks at Petco aren't maintained properly. The blue cichlid came from the same tank and is in the same tank currently. He and the Tetras are all doing well. This orange one looks odd, but had no symptoms of being sick.

That's good you put them in a separate aquarium. I personally would wait until the Cichlids were back to good health. Sounds like you have African Cichlids.

 

[tlindsey]

Yes what I thought they look like Mbuna which are highly aggressive and probably will harrass the tetras.

 

[tlindsey]

I just reread your post and I hope it works also.

 

[tlindsey]

I apologize just realized the the is titled under African Rift lake Cichlids.

 

[Morticia]

I'm not worried about the Tetras. They came from a tank with a Beta. There's been no fin nipping and the Tetras have so far made a point to stay out of the Cichlids territory. They are only in there to accelerate the bio net. They will return to their tank in a week or so. My Fahaka is nearly a year old now and I've had him since he was a half inch. I was wondering if anyone recognized what is wrong with this cichlid. Clamped fins is never good. He was nearly lifeless in the tank at Petco and even though he is now significantly better I don't trust it. Stress of moving could make him more hightened for the time being. I've add immune boosters to the tank and I'm sure he is on a much better diet now, but to be skinny is weird. He doesn't have ick or a hole in his head. There isn't a loss of appetite, but I'm noticing the corys really have to infringe before he defends his cave. Basically they have to be in his cave before he chases them out. There are plenty of caves in the rocks and coverage for them. The blue colored up pretty well, but he is so much fuller and active than the orange one.