Need Help - Beaten Up Cichlids

[volcomstone]

I just setup a new 120 gallon CA/SA cichlid tank (added fish after fully cycled). I put tons of hiding places and the tank is not overcrowded. However, just this morning I noticed that a 3 of my cichlids went at it and gave each other a pretty decent beating.

I noticed that some of the fins are ripped and some of their scales are damaged or missing. What's the best way to treat this? For now, I don't think the damages are enough for me to start up a hospital tank. So far I've separated them in the tank.

I did a small water change, raised the temp to 84 and then gradually added aquarium salt right now. Any other things I should do? How often should I do a WC and how much? Should I continue to add salt after each WC? Please help...I want my cichlids to get their beauty back the fastest way possible

 

[irishfan]

Melafix seems to grow back torn fins very quickly. Im sure they will all bounce back, especially if there arent bad injuries. Like you said you did, just make sure they all have enough space and their own hiding spots.

Does make sense though with adding a bunch of new cichlids into a tank...probably just getting used to each other. What kind of fish, size, etc

 

[BPags52]

Melafix should help repair fins (scales too?) and prevent infections caused by the open wounds.

I'm new to Melafix though, so you might want to confirm that for yourself.
Hopefully they worked out their pecking order already, and aggression will go down (wishful thinking).

Not sure how how often do to water changes, and have never used aquarium salt (though people here seem to use it religiously whenever something goes wrong).

Goodluck.

 

[jan46hart]

I breed african cichlids and they fight too i sometimes need to seperate them. i use salt when the need treatment. i also do water change at least once a week.
Good luck

 

[Lupin]

Just do water changes and dose Melafix. I'm not a fan of using salt for several situations other than ich.

 

[volcomstone]

Just do water changes and dose Melafix. I'm not a fan of using salt for several situations other than ich.

Thanks Lupin...Got some Melafix and from reading the directions it indicates to do a water change after the 7th day of dosage. Would you suggest daily water changes plus re-adding the recommended dosage for my tank?

I'm just trying to find the most effective way of using Melafix...it seems that some of the damages on my fishes are little worse than I originally thought I do see deeper wounds but mostly missing/damaged scales and torn fins. Hopefully Melafix does the trick for me!

 

[Lupin]

Add the Melafix per the water volume replaced to avoid oversaturation that could potentially harm the fish.

 

[volcomstone]

Update: All but 1 of the 3 cichlids are doing good. I've been treating with melafix.

For the 1 that doesn't look too good I've noticed two things:

1) On his damaged pectoral fin, there seems to be some type of fungus or white dot looking thing around the base of the fin. It so far doesn't look like ich (I've seen ich before)

2) On his right eye, there seems to be a also a white looking thing that's hanging out on the top. It almost like it was some sort of spec that was in the water and landed on this eye. However, it's been there for the last 2 days so I'm think it is something more serious than that! I'm thinking he had an eye injury which may have got worse.

Please help as I'm not 100% sure what I'm dealing with here and how to treat it. Initially I thought I was just going to be treating for damaged/missing scales and torn fins. However, it seems that for 1 of fishes, the damages are little more severe. I'm trying to take pictures but I have been unsuccessful in taking some. I'll keep trying. Please help!

 

[volcomstone]

I just wanted to add that the white thing on my fish's eye looks to almost be worm like...a parasite of some sort???? It's definitely visible and its just hanging out sticking to one place on top of his eye.

Any ideas what this might be and how to treat it? I'm hoping whatever he has isn't fatal and can be treated fast. I'll try to get pics by tonight.

 

[abiddle]

I received a fish via UPS a couple of days ago and it has a white spec like you described. It is where an eye lash should be. I purchased him from a very reputable dealer, and he seems perfectly healthy. Did you ever figure out what the white thing was, on your fish or get any advice? Or did it just go away. Any advice from others would be appreciated.

Thanks!


From previous post:

On his right eye, there seems to be a also a white looking thing that's hanging out on the top. It almost like it was some sort of spec that was in the water and landed on this eye. However, it's been there for the last 2 days so I'm think it is something more serious than that! I'm thinking he had an eye injury which may have got worse.

I just wanted to add that the white thing on my fish's eye looks to almost be worm like...a parasite of some sort???? It's definitely visible and its just hanging out sticking to one place on top of his eye.