Hello, ive had some trouble with my juvenile Cuban cichlid as of late, I got him about 6 months ago at about 2.5 inches and now he’s about 5 inches and much thicker, he’s always been a glass banger and quite interactive but recently he’s stopped coming up for food and much more scared of me when I turn on the lights in the morning he literally jumps, nothing has changed same tank same water parameters and water change schedule, I’ve been feeding him only nutrifin cichlid bug bites. Maybe it’s diet related or a parasite? If anyone has any advice let me know
Cuban cichlid has become very skittish
- Thread starter anzo1993
- Start date
I think parasites would have infected the Cuban cichlid way earlier. Did you add any other fish recently?
Nope he’s been living alone in a 45 gallon tank for the whole time it kind of happened all of a sudden, he used to wait for me like an Oscar when I turned on the lights ready for food , I even raised the temperature abit to 82 but it hasn’t helped
Just a suggestion since we are tapping in the dark. Is there maybe a source of electric current in the tank? It happened to me in my beginning days. One of my glas heaters had a tiny crack and for weeks my fish acted off and I couldn't figure out why. I only figured it out one day when I touched the water with a a tiny piece of skin missing above my nails, which suddenly gave me a very strong sensation. (There were also some weird rust coloured algae growing during that time, which disappeared after I changed the heater)
I also experienced something similiar with my Cichla that suddenly became very skittish as they grew, and it seemed like it was the fault of the black sand I was using, as they became confident the moment it changed to white. But this is experience I have yet to hear from someone else, so I dont know how applyable it is.
The food seems balanced, so I don't think it comes from malnutrition.
I also experienced something similiar with my Cichla that suddenly became very skittish as they grew, and it seemed like it was the fault of the black sand I was using, as they became confident the moment it changed to white. But this is experience I have yet to hear from someone else, so I dont know how applyable it is.
The food seems balanced, so I don't think it comes from malnutrition.
I'm going thru the same thing with the fish in my garage 210G. I've got a pair of Vieja maculicaudas and small groups of T. meeki and BA tetras.. All have coexisted in the tank since early February, always out and active.. I've lost several T. meeki and BA tetras over this period likely due to their big tankmates (V. maculicauda male is currently ~8.5-9", purchased at ~5".. but I have not replaced or added anything new.. parameters stable since they all arrived (7.6pH, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 5 nitrates, ). Water temp is ~70F. In the last couple of weeks all the fish are in witness protection. only the BA tetras come out when being fed.. the others wait for me to leave the garage before they'll eat.. No change in diet.. No clue what happened, but it sucks not seeing my dominant male V. maculicauda patrol the tank like he used to... I'm guessing it may be temp related, but it hasn't really been cold yet where I live and the fish have lived in the garage 210G since last winter with no issues...
Hope your situation is not health related and hopefully the Cuban's activity level improves or you get some good advice here..
I have found that many fish are pretty fearless as very young fish, and get more wary of humans as they age. Some grow out of this at full size. As juveniles and adults, I would assume their instincts are sharper about avoiding potential predators.
The environment is very important for avoiding skittish fish. What does your setup look like? Lots of cover (especially in top 50% of tank) or mostly open? How bright is your light? The cuban is completely alone, or any dithers?
In general, I find American cichlids seem to be more comfortable and less skittish in more dimly lit tanks, with adequate cover in the tank. Real or fake plants, manzanita wood etc can be used. Solo fish can often become shy as well, and keeping in communities/shoals or with dither fish can help- but you need a large enough tank attempt either, and I wouldn't try this with a cuban in less than a 100 gallon tank. A 45 gallon is quite large for a 2" fish, and somewhat small for a 5" fish, he may also just be outgrowing the tank and feeling cramped.
Alternatively, he could have parasites or an illness like you suspect. I would look for other signs like white stringy poops or anything visible on the fish .
The environment is very important for avoiding skittish fish. What does your setup look like? Lots of cover (especially in top 50% of tank) or mostly open? How bright is your light? The cuban is completely alone, or any dithers?
In general, I find American cichlids seem to be more comfortable and less skittish in more dimly lit tanks, with adequate cover in the tank. Real or fake plants, manzanita wood etc can be used. Solo fish can often become shy as well, and keeping in communities/shoals or with dither fish can help- but you need a large enough tank attempt either, and I wouldn't try this with a cuban in less than a 100 gallon tank. A 45 gallon is quite large for a 2" fish, and somewhat small for a 5" fish, he may also just be outgrowing the tank and feeling cramped.
Alternatively, he could have parasites or an illness like you suspect. I would look for other signs like white stringy poops or anything visible on the fish .
This is a good suggestion.
unplug the heater, and see if anything changes.
If not, plug in back in and unplug something else, a light fixtue, a pump, a filter until youve eliminated all possibilities.
I have also had stray voltage cause erratic behaviour a number of times.
Even a cord hanging in a damp area can do this.
The Cuban is living alone with no other fish for now, the tank has some flowerpots and pants but pretty opened concept in general , I will look out for stringy white poop for now and I’ll try a change in diet see if that helps abit , I planned on upgrading him to a 75 gallon once he hits about 6-7 inches