Sick cichla. What kind of disease is that?

[purpleblau]

Hi dear all,

Please help. My cichla has turned very dark recently and has a lot of dents and lesions on his head. It looks like as if somethibg has eaten his skin away. Looks very scary. He also has strange behaviors. But he still eats, however not a lot. The other fish have also a bit but they all recovered. I'm certain there is no ick or similar parasites. What is happening? My water quality is fine. No nitrite no chlorine, seems to be fine. However my water is still very cloudy and has fine particles. Could that be it?

Thank you!!!

 

[kendragon]

Looks like HITH and LLE. Could be diet and/or stress.l

 

[purpleblau]

It's weird. His fins were red and now I did some water change. His fins seem to get better. What kind of stress? No one is harassing the fish. They are so difficult to raise.

 

[kno4te]

Sounds like hith.

 

[FishNCash]

Sounds like HITH. It could be due to diet or water quality. Cichla need extremely clean water. I heard running carbon in a cichla tank can also attribute to HITH.

 

[purpleblau]

Thanks guys!!!

I don't have carbon. I definitely think the water quality is the main factor that contributed to this as I don't think I have extremely clean water. I need to fix this asap.

 

[purpleblau]

Hi guys,

An update from my side. I bought another filter to clear the water. Now, the water looks much better, almost crystal clear.

The other fish are fine and feed heavily. That sick one also eats, but not a lot.
I can see that he's been doing better. I bought some antibiotics medicine for them. Should I try that or should I leave the fish alone and let them heal by themselves. Will they ever recover from this?

There are no holes. Looks like they got skinny really bad. Anyway, I'm not sure. I hope they recover.

 

[kno4te]

Don't treat if your not sure what ur treating. Plus abx can stress already stressed fish and destroy the BB for your main tank.

Keep feeding and if the color comes back and no lesions then ur fine, especially if it's eating. Would soak ur fish food with some vitachem. Anything that helps you know.

 

[philipraposo1982]

Lol @ buy another filter to clean the water....

You do realize when fishncash said that about water quality he didn't mean clarity right. Heeans the level of minerals in the water as well as very low levels of nitrates. To reduce nitrates you need to change alot of water often.

What size tank to do you and how much water do you change per week? What is the stock list?

 

[krichardson]

What size tank to do you and how much water do you change per week? What is the stock list?

Yes,very important! We need to know these things in order to be able give you the best advice.Most paramount is clean,fresh water by way of partial water changes...you have to remove the dissolved wastes(fish poison,pretty much)from your tank in order for your fish to be happy and healthy.