Fish at the top of the tank

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Tango374

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 3, 2005
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I've noticed within the last hour that 5 of my 6 cichlids are are staying at the top of the tank. For the last few months I've kept them in a 55 gal tank being filtered by a AquaClear 110 without ever having witness something like this. Since I've noticed this, I have placed a Airstone powered by a battery operated air pump in the tank and have done a 25% water change. I have within the last few days introduced a new fish to the tank. Is there anything you guys would suggest I look out for or take action on?
Thanx
GH - 218.8 ppm
KH - 286.4 ppm
PH - 8.3
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40 ppm
Temp - 79.5
 
Sounds like stress or lack of O2. I agree with the airstone. How is the water quality? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate?
 
Edited-
threw the airstone in there just to get more disruption on the surface...thought it couldn't hurt
 
That can't be the reason for this. The AC 110 is rated for a hundred and ten gallon aquarium...I'm using it on a 55. Now I aggree the more the better but that can't be why they're all at the top like this. Oh man...Death is coming I know it. I'm about to lose a hundred bucks in fish tonight.
 
I don't keep Africans but it looks like your doing the right thing but if they are Malawis you might be pushing the upper limit on pH for long term keeping, are those measurements before or after the water change?
If the gill tissue is pale it could be long term nitrate exposure. You could also drop the temp about 2 degrees F to increase the O2 carrying capacity.
They are not on their sides are they, if so it is probably garbage gut from spoiled food and you will need an antibiotic.
 
Dropped the temp 2 degress
tests where taken after the water change
they are not on they're sides and not gulping at the surface
 
Is the new fish picking on them?

If they are not gasping at the surface, then it sounds like less of an oxygen problem, more of a stress issue.
 
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