Injured Pearsei cichlid - need advice on treatment

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R

rvadog

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jan 13, 2012
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NYC
Just noticed what looks like an injury to one of my cichlids. Not sure how it would have occurred - there's no sharp edges in the tank. Here's a link to pics (sorry for quality):

https://imgur.com/vutonKz

I change water weekly and have test results from before today's 30% chnage. 0 ammonia, 20 nitrates, 0 nitirtes, ph 6.8.

What should be my treatment steps?
 
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Could be hith or injury. Heals up quick then it’ll be an injury. Water clean, make sure it eats and monitor. Keep nitrates below 20ppm.
 
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R rvadog , I had forgotten you had been looking for a pearsei, and you did end up getting one, awesome! Hard to tell from the pic but it almost looks like a mild injury. It should heal up quickly with clean water. Might just do a extra, mid week water change.
 
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kno4te said:
Could be hith or injury. Heals up quick then it’ll be an injury. Water clean, make sure it eats and monitor. Keep nitrates below 20ppm.
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Agree about the nitrates,
this species comes from water with mostly undetectable nitrate, and pH in mid to upper 7s, and even above 8.
Increase frequency and volume of water changes to get nitrate below 10ppm, this may also help increase pH depending on the alkalinity of your tap water.
Their natural habitat water is high in calcium hardness, which helps keep pH up.
 
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DMD123 said:
R rvadog , I had forgotten you had been looking for a pearsei, and you did end up getting one, awesome! Hard to tell from the pic but it almost looks like a mild injury. It should heal up quickly with clean water. Might just do a extra, mid week water change.
Click to expand...

Yes, I got three. I have two that have grown about the same size over the last 6 months (about hand sized) and one quite a bit smaller. The idea was to rehome 1-2 as they got bigger. Is it safe to assume the smaller is a female and I have 2 males?

For tankmates I have 8 silver dollars and a senegal bicher (in a 180g). I'd love to add another fish or two but have been cautious. Happy for any advice.
 
rvadog said:
Yes, I got three. I have two that have grown about the same size over the last 6 months (about hand sized) and one quite a bit smaller. The idea was to rehome 1-2 as they got bigger. Is it safe to assume the smaller is a female and I have 2 males?

For tankmates I have 8 silver dollars and a senegal bicher (in a 180g). I'd love to add another fish or two but have been cautious. Happy for any advice.
Click to expand...

Usually the assumption is that smaller are female but best method is to vent to make sure. My last pearsei was female and was pretty massive at passing, she was 16”. My current pearsei is believed to be male and Im hoping it gets even larger. Will wait and see.

This is what I want, lol
973EDF2A-C023-4962-AA35-6D4F75B15F8A.jpeg

As to tankmates, Im keeping some fairly large bala sharks and lower jaw bichir and its a calm, easygoing tank.
 
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Keep the nitrate down. They can cause a host of issues, serious and not so serious. Ive found Melafix to be good but I do find cichlids in general heal up very quickly but your water parameters must be spot on.
 
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