Cuban cichlid has become very skittish

[duanes]

In the past I have also used those groundiing probes, hangin them in sumps and tanks, wherever stray voltage occurs, and fiund then invaluable.

These probes can also save yourass if you are standing in a puddle, put a finger in the tank, when a heater has cracked .

 

[anzo1993]

So I tried unplugging the heater for about 6 hours in the daytime no changes in his behaviour.. must be a parasite

 

[anzo1993]

So it’s confirmed it’s a parasite long stringy white poop

 

[Gourami Swami]

So it’s confirmed it’s a parasite long stringy white poop

Is the fish eating at all? Metronidazole soaked food has been effective for me in the past, the problem is getting the fish to eat.

 

[HUKIT]

So it’s confirmed it’s a parasite long stringy white poop

I know the majority of aquarist(including myself) typically jump to hexamita and other internal parasites when we see white stringy poop. I keep metronidazole and medicated flakes/pellets from Ken’s on hand for such occasions. I took a scape from a melanura this year to a local aquatic vet to find what bacteria was causing his issue to try and get the correct antibiotic. We started talking about internal parasites and she said it’s extremely uncommon in her experience, she didn’t have specific numbers. So when she emailed me the results of the biopsy she also attached this link which is an article from one of her colleagues. Where over a decade and out of 1000’s of fish they tested only 3 actually had internal parasites and they were all wild caught.

Stringy White Fish Poop: Normal or Deadly Sign? - Fish Vet

White fish poop is not a parasite. Learn what white stringy poop in fish actually means and if you need to be concerned about it in your fish tank or pond.

cafishvet.com

I’m curious to see what others think about her results.

 

[anzo1993]

Is the fish eating at all? Metronidazole soaked food has been effective for me in the past, the problem is getting the fish to eat.thats

Is the fish eating at all? Metronidazole soaked food has been effective for me in the past, the problem is getting the fish to eat.

He’s eating abit but I can’t be infront if the tank but only a couple pellets, I’ll try soaking pellets in metro for now and see how that works but his behaviour is getting more shy not leaving the bottom of the tank

 

[tiger15]

Some CA cichlid, such as Jack Dampsey and most Vieja species, have the tendency to become shy and skittish as they age. Others, such as Midas, Trimac and Flowerhorn, tend to become bolder and meaner with age. So tank buster keepers pick only the latter, never the former species.

I have never kept Cuban, but it is closely related to Jack Dampsey. So I assume it behaves similarly. Interestingly, fish collectors have reported similar behavior of JD in the wild where juveniles are bold and adults are shy.

IME, juvenile Vieja and JD are outgoing and always beg for food on the front glass, only to turn shy and skittish with age. I had one 12 inch Vieja bifac that would jump up and splash the water whenever someone approached the tank by surprise. One time he banged his head so hard on a rock to cause a big cut. I don't like skittish fish that demand me to sneak in as a thief so I sold him. Interesting, after he was relocated to the new owner's 300 gal tank with big tankmates, he was no longer shy as he was too busy watching his back.

 

[Gourami Swami]

He is hiding down where the only cover in the tank is. Also looks pretty bright. Not saying this is the only problem, he may actually have parasites, but I would try to add a bunch of fake plants to the top region, and dim (or tape of part of) the light, I bet you will have better luck getting him to eat at least.

This old tank of mine is an example of how I set up tanks for more skittish fish. Get some silk plants from a craft store, and zip tie suction cups to it, then stick it to the top/back of the tank. You want there to be shade for the fish to feel comfortable.

 

[duanes]

Multi-cellular parasites, don´t just appear, they are imported, in feeders, from other fish brought to the tank, raw shrimp or fresh fish from a grocery store, new plants, etc etc, they don´t just appear from out of nowhere.
Bacteria, on the other hand can seemingly appear from out of the blue, but are also usually imported, although if water quality is maintaned properly, even they are not problematic.
To me they are more like young Parachromis, that half grown they are afraid of otherthing.
I´ve even had young dovii that jump at the least sound or movement, and don´t become bold until big enough to fight off anything but a 5 ft caiman

I have kept many tetracanthus, and they are bold at full size, .....but.....at have size, they are prime food for predatory birds, reptiles, and large fish, so can be very wary.
I would not expect them to be gregarious over white , or light colored sand where they stick out like beacon to predators (instinctual), and/or without plenty of natural cover such as floating plants, lots of sunkenlogs etc.
Similar to the places you might find them in nature.


As you can see, by the dark pics,I also kept them under subdued lighting, covering all but the front panel with blackened stryrofoam covers.