Flowerhorn Emergency

[Hinnant]

Hi all i have a flowerhorn that i have had a little over 5 days with 4 mbuna in a 80g tank. The mbuna are all 2-3" tops while the flowerhorn is about 6 double the size of all them. Well the problem is for some reason last night i noticed he hasnt left his cave not even to eat he just stays there for some odd reason. Any ideas or what i should do next???

Some general Info you may need
1. he was fine swimming and eating the first 4 days but since last night he hasnt left cave i can see him swimming inside the cave
2. None of the mbuna picked with him in fact it was the opposite he doing all the harrassing when he entered tank so i know he's not in hiding from other fish
3. i had water checked and lfs said everything was fine my ph is at 8.0 even right now
4. Been feeding them cichlid pellets which again he ate the first couple of days

all help apppreciated.. ps. yes i am aware that when the FH grows he may kill the other fish

 

[Camphilophus]

My guess is that it's probably just stressed out because of the incompatible tank mates. It also could have been unhealthy when you bought it which could be another cause. Flowerhorns are prone to sickness, disease, and parasites you should always quarantine them before adding them in with any other fish.

 

[Hinnant]

My guess is that it's probably just stressed out because of the incompatible tank mates. It also could have been unhealthy when you bought it which could be another cause. Flowerhorns are prone to sickness, disease, and parasites you should always quarantine them before adding them in with any other fish.

what should be my next step if either is the case immediate quarantine??

 

[Camphilophus]

Quarantine it in 76-78* water, add some aquarium salt, and treat with either metro, or prazipro medication. Some stress coat couldn't hurt it either and pimafix/melafix treatment if you feel the need. Good luck

 

[rock123]

thts true.... an check if its female,cause if its abt to lay may b its jus sticking in the cave.cause my ffh always stays in the cave even afta laying eggs,but comes out latter.

 

[Bazinga]

i say hes just stressed, give him some time or a new tank.

 

[Hinnant]

thts true.... an check if its female,cause if its abt to lay may b its jus sticking in the cave.cause my ffh always stays in the cave even afta laying eggs,but comes out latter.

i have no way to check unless i take em out... u think it would just lay eggs after just 5 days in the tank?? especially without any males around??

 

[Hinnant]

Quarantine it in 76-78* water, add some aquarium salt, and treat with either metro, or prazipro medication. Some stress coat couldn't hurt it either and pimafix/melafix treatment if you feel the need. Good luck

i have a 30g tank on the side but it doesnt have any gravel or ornaments is this ok?? And how long should i wait before i try putting him back into the main tank??

 

[mangingisda]

Haven't you try to remove the cave? If everything in your tank is fine, maybe you dropped it immediately to your tank after you bought it, so it got stressed for the sudden change of water tempo and quality. Try to buy a stress out potion from your nearest lfs.

 

[Hinnant]

Haven't you try to remove the cave? If everything in your tank is fine, maybe you dropped it immediately to your tank after you bought it, so it got stressed for the sudden change of water tempo and quality. Try to buy a stress out potion from your nearest lfs.

Added stress coat and some salt. then removed cave all the fh did was find another place to hide... i have a 30g on standby to put him but i was wondering wouldnt this just add more stress if stress is the problem??