Please help. Ram Cichlid in labor - think she's dying...

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C

CinderElmo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2007
6
0
0
55
Minnesota
We bought some Ram Cichlids from our local pet store and found out that one was pregnant. She started acting funny today and thought that she was starting to get ready to lay the eggs. Then she started acting like she was dying. Floating near the top of the tank, laying on the bottom. Recently she was on her side breathing hard.

I looked on the web for any type of answers and ran into this forum. I have never had pregnant fish before. I don't believe that fish labor like people, but I am ignorant here. I feel like I should be doing something...is this normal behavior? Or is this the beginning of the end for her?

Is there anything I can do? Is there something I should be doing? Any help would be so appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

-Cinder
 
I doubt the fish is having complications regarding spawning. More likely, the fish is reacting to the change in water conditions. Did you do a drip acclimation?
 
Yes. Let them float and then gradually let the water mix and then let her swim out on her own with her mate. Watched them close for stress and gulping. She was fine until later this afternoon. The other fish we bought at the same time are all fine as well. We added two dwarf gouramis that were housed in the same tank with them and two algae eaters as well. All are fine but her. I know she's most likely more sensitive to anything.

I know she's just a fish, but...she's my fish. She's now lying on her back and I'm wondering if I should just put her out of her misery.
 
Her belly is huge and it's rosy colored. After looking it up online, we just assumed she was pregnant. We've never had cichlids before other than angels. We've never had fish procreate before. While we are newer to the fish tank world, we've got three different set-ups and never had a fish do this before. Sorry if I sound like a dork newbie.
 
no i was just wondering if you mistaking a ill fish for a pregnant one. They can bloat up for a number of reasons.
 
Do you know how to test your water? Also, where in MN are you? I will come and take a look at the tank if you would like.
 
She's gone to the big aquarium in the sky...gosh this makes me sad. I will go test the water and let you know.

We are in a western suburb of Minneapolis. Montrose? If you haven't heard of it, don't feel bad...only 1000 people. Blink and you'll miss it. We're west of Delano. If that doesn't help, west of Wayzata about 30 minutes.
 
ammonia is safe, ph about 7.5, alkalinity is high, but it's been high for forever...water is soft, nitrates are safe and nitrites are high but not lethal and that I don't understand as we just did a water change the other day. All the other fish are fine...*sigh*

We have the undergravel and the biofilter both. I change 20 - 25% weekly in both the 30 and the 55. The 55 has the turbo, undergravel and bio. I change the goldfish twice a week as they are so dirty. I use RO water and still add Amquel Plus and Stress Coat. We test our water daily and do not overfeed. We have three cory cats on the bottom who do a fairly good job of getting what everyone misses, but the angels are freaks at feeding time so there is rarely any falling to the bottom...
 
you say nitrites are high but not lethal any level of nitrites can be deadly. You also say ammonia is safe if its not at zero all of the time its not safe. What are the readings exactly, If you have nitrites I dont see how you have nitrates. If you are using strips I would throw them out they are very in accurate you may want to get a better test kit.
 
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