Help with sick Jewel Cichlid -Pics-

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ck986

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 5, 2010
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I recently purchased a yellow peacock (Fri 12/17) that I introduced to my 55 gallon tank. The peacock was chased around for about one day until my Auratus got comfortable with her. The day she was chased around she actually ate because she hit up top by the heater. I threw some pellets by her and she ate them. later on she started swimming around the bottom of the tank, but was very reclusive. The Auratus didn’t bother her anymore. A few days later my Auratus and Jewel Cichlid started flashing. I was afraid that the tank was succumbing to Ich again so I started raising the temp and adding salt. I also ended up buying a quarantine tank for the peacock as I wanted her to eat. I cant throw any sinking pellets without the other fish getting to them first. While buying the quarantine tank I also bought some jungle anti parasite pellets as I though the fish might have gill flukes.

I quarantined the peacock and noticed that my Jewel Cichlid started to spasm while swimming up and down. She was spasm'ing frequently that day. Since I began increasing the salinity and temperature the frequency of her spasms have declined. The flashing has appeared to have stopped as I haven’t noticed either fish flashing since I removed the peacock. This is also after two days of feeding the jungle pellets.

Forward to today and the peacock died. it appeared that a small circular fuzzy growth was appearing at the top part of her gill, but I am not 100% sure what it was. In any case she is going back to petco for meds, an exchange or for a refund.

Back to my main tank, my Auratus appears to be in perfect shape again, she is a very tough fish. The Jewel appears to have a white blotch growing on its belly (next to left pectoral fin). I don’t know exactly what this is, it looks like it can be columnaris based on some research I did. She also has some torn fins including pectoral fins. The blotch appears to be a disruption and inflammation in the slime coat. It actually protrudes from the fish's body slightly.

My water stats are at the lowest levels for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. I have been testing quite often as I had problems initially cycling the tank and have become paranoid.

My water PH is 8 and is fairly hard. Temp is 79 F. I change about 8-15% of the water on a daily basis. This was also part of the cycling routine that I have kept up. I have been adding 3 tsp of API salt for each four gallons of water. In total I probably have about .25-.5tsp of salt p/gallon of water.

What do you guys think might be wrong with the Jewel Cichlid. I think she may be getting better, but I am not really sure. Her fins were always a bit rough, not terrible but not great either. The other fish I have in the tank are:

1 3" tinfoil Barb
2 1.5" bala Sharks
3 1.5" electric yellow Cichlids
1 2" Zebra cichlid
1 2.5" Auratus
1 2.5" Jewel Cichlid
1 2.5" Albino Oscar

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She didnt eat any of the medicated pellets last night and today is begining to flash again. She did eat standard pellets though. I am going to look for Jungle parasite clear tabs to drop in the tank. It appears to be some sort of parasite. Thankfully all of the other fish appear to be healthy.
 
I have never heard of this one, may'be someone with more xp will post. I wish you luck and I hope she gets better. I have four jewels now and love them, especially their coloration. Keep us posted on any updates.
 
I figured it out. It explains why the salt and pellets have been working to some extent. All remedies say to treat this parasite as if it were Ich.


Trichodinids are typically found on the gills, skin and fins of fishes, though some species parasitise the urogenital system. A range of invertebrates are also host to trichodinid infections, including the surfaces of copepods and the mantle cavity of molluscs and snails. Transmission occurs by direct contact of infected and uninfected hosts, and also by active swimming of trichodinids from one host to another.
They feed off the bacteria on the fish surface and cause the fish irritation.
Causes

Poor water quality which usually means high bacterial counts provides a source of food for this parasite and so leads to high numbers of the parasite. Sick fish from Petco.


Symptoms

Fish flicks and rubs against surfaces causing surface damage of the skin. The method of attachment by the parasite also damages the skin surface which can lead to bacterial and ulcer infections.
In heavy infestations the fish will be lethargic, they may isolate themselves, stop feeding and lay on the bottom with clamped fins. It rarely kills. But does cause extreme stress which can make them susceptible to further bacterial and fungi infections.
 
I purchased some Rid-Ich as it contains malachite green and formalyn which are supposed to treat all sorts of protozoa specifically this one. I have treated so far for about 12 hours. The only difference I can see is that the spot has turned a slightly lighter grey and is much more pronounced than in the pics above. She continues to spasm, but not flash much. The other fish appear to be healthy. The jewel has not lost its appetite and continues to swim as she always did.
 
So far no progress. The gray patch has not grown but may have gotten a little fuzzy. I am not sure if a fungus is growing or its just the skin growing back. In anycase I use salt and the tank is dosed with Malachite green so dont think a fungus would grow. I am going to do a large water change today and put in carbon to remove all medication from the water. Maybe I will add some melafix to assist in the growth of the fish's scales. She continues to eat and act normal other than the occasional spasm.
 
hi friends,i am a newcomer on this forum and a naive in keeping African jewel fish. i got a good pair in sept,2010. they bred 6 times since then and i am raising a pretty school of their younger ones in other tank too!! and the problem is the male jewel isn't responding to my feed though it ate some of the beef heart yesterday after a month long denial, i have tried blood worms, tropical fish pellets, beef heart mix tubifex worms lest it did not accept. does it have internal parasites or some kind of a disease. please help! i hate when my pets don't eat..
 
I have no idea why your Jewel isnt eating. Does he show any signs of illness.

An update to my story is that my Jewel appears to be healing. The grey spot is shrinking. I am going to put some melafix in there as soon as the Malachite Green concentration comes down from basic water changes.
 
he accepted some beef heart today, and looks a bit color full than earlier! the same is the case with her mate..might breed again.
 
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