I just got a new red devil from my lfs 2 days ago. Its about 4.5 or 5 inches and doesnt seem to be using its tail fin. Its in my 100gal tank with a 4in convict 6in dempsey 7in jag 11in electric cat and a pleco. Everyone seems to be getting along, (nobody is beat up.) has anyone seen this before?
red devil not using its tail???
- Thread starter cichlidaddiction
- Start date
I had a GT who's tail locked to the side at which point he couldn't use it anymore, eventually he stopped eating, his belly shrank and was culled. Hard to say whats goin' on with yours, so long as he's eating it's a good thing. Deformities can happen unfortunately even in pristine water conditions.
I had the same problem, I had a costa rican Jag, and my friend told me it was ok to add an electric catfish, needless to say my Jag got shocked and it's tail went limp, he never used again after that.
Can you show us a video of the RD? Maybe we can figure out what's happened.
The good news is... fish have incredible healing skills, especially after nerve damage. I've heard of cases where fish sever their spinal cords, and completely reattach them. The healing process is really slow, but it will happen.
If, however, he's displaced vertebrae, that's not so good of a prognosis.
The good news is... fish have incredible healing skills, especially after nerve damage. I've heard of cases where fish sever their spinal cords, and completely reattach them. The healing process is really slow, but it will happen.
If, however, he's displaced vertebrae, that's not so good of a prognosis.
You should probably remove the electric catfish. The tank is too small for it alone, let alone the rest of your stock.
Electric cats can get up to 24" in captivity, are aggressive & solitary by nature so forcing them to be with 4" to 8" cichlids in a 100g tank might be the root of the problem...even if you havent had issues prior. If it was shocked, Id bet it was the red devils attitude that triggered it. Having no scales or dorsal fin, their first defense is to hit them with 350 volts.
Electric cats can get up to 24" in captivity, are aggressive & solitary by nature so forcing them to be with 4" to 8" cichlids in a 100g tank might be the root of the problem...even if you havent had issues prior. If it was shocked, Id bet it was the red devils attitude that triggered it. Having no scales or dorsal fin, their first defense is to hit them with 350 volts.
I have never heard of and electric cat being kept with other fish for what I think would be obvious reasons. Might be the root of the problem, other than 100 gals not being big enough for the rest of the stock.
I agree. I always thought that Electric Cats had to be housed alone or in very large aquariums if other tankmates were to be housed with it. It seems like a very dangerous risk to place anything in a tank with an Elec. Cat. A cichlid like a RD that won't easily back down from a tussle would probably get a good jolt really fast. Don't risk your stock. Separate them from the cat.Aquanero;4540224;4540224 said:
Thanks for the input i'll start looking into finding a new home for the cat. Its a shame he has a great personality. I checked my water quality and found it was on the poor side, so i just did a major water change and am sure that will make everyone happier regardless. Again thanks for the input and ill try to post a vid.
