Dead Yellow Lab

[JTRG05]

Well, I just noticed that my 6 yellow labs became 5 yellow labs yesterday. I've been watching the tank now and can't really find a murderer anywhere, there is no obvious aggression.

I currently have a Featherfin Cat, 5 Yellow labs, and 2 Johanni's (or so I thought, I think the guy at the LFS gave me Powder Blue Cichlids instead, they have no black markings), I still have the 5 Buenos Aires Tetras I used to cycle the tank in there as well.

Any of these sound like they would be the culprits or is this normal for Malawai cichlids? And what is the best way to sex the yellow labs?

 

[1974Pantera]

With yellow labs the only sure way is to vent them. As to the death of one of them, they are pretty good among their own species and doubt any of your current stock is the culprit.

Check your water parameters, it is possible to have an NH3-4 spike if you introduced too many fish at once after having the tetras cycle the tank. I'm surprised they made it through the cycling?

 

[JTRG05]

When I cycle WITH a fish, I do frequent water changes, plus I used half the substrate from another cycled tank, as well as a filter from another tank. They weren't in to much danger.

The Buenos Aires Tetras have not only lived through the cycle, but they are living through the Yellow Lab and Powder Blue cichlids right now. They actually nip back at the cichlids when pressured by them. I've started to think about using them as dithers for other tanks.

My params are fine, but I'll keep an eye on them, and thank you for calming my worries of incompatible fish. I asked for Johannis, the guy gave me these powder blues I knew nothing about instead, and THEN didn't print off a receipt so I'm stuck with them.

 

[swede]

yeah if thy have no black, theres no chance they are johanni's. johanni's have lots of black and are very aggro.