Scratching themselves!

[Bxdr]

Hi, my fish have been acting itchy, i fed them worms for the past 3 days and all of them are trying to "scratch" themselves on anything in the tank?!

Is this type of thing curable with iodized table salt? And to what proportion? Its a 55 gallon tank, 6 inhabitants all cichlids. I also recently added frogbit and hogworts(hornwort? I forget)

 

[fisher12889]

Have you done a water change recently? What are your water parameters?

 

[Water]

Water parameters? What kind of cichlids are they? Tank temperature?

 

[Bxdr]

Tank Temp is 80F , I just use tap water, I did a 30% change 2 days ago. Is it the Earth worms slime?

I've had these fish for over a year, its just once in a while they do this...Just being cautious if its a reoccurring issue...

 

[Water]

Did you use dechlorinator? And you still haven't given us your water parameters. Honestly, if you expect us to help you, you have to supply us with some basic info so we can get an idea of whats wrong with your tank.

 

[Bxdr]

I'm sorry, i'm a very basic fish keeper. I don't know what water parameters are nor how to test for them.
I mentioned i only use tap water nothing else.
Please educate me regarding these matters

 

[fisher12889]

I'm sorry, i'm a very basic fish keeper. I don't know what water parameters are nor how to test for them.
I mentioned i only use tap water nothing else.
Please educate me regarding these matters

It sounds like you really need to learn about the nitrogen cycle. Parameters are things like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels, ph, etc.

I'm guessing the major problem your having is not using dechlor. Buy a bottle of Prime (It has to be prime, I've seen similar issues with fish scratching themselves when using other brands). Chlorine is bad for fish, dechlor neutralizes chlorine and chloramines. Use prime for every water change, the directions are on the bottle.