Very close call...I think.

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bassman24

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 2, 2008
223
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VENTURA, CA
I got a free 1.5" Ocel at LFS on Friday because he was very beat up by tankmates. He was eating live blood worms and today was his first minnow session. So, he eats three very small minnows and I leave to feed my large cichla. When I came back he was floating sideways at the surface and sometimes splashing with his fins. I immediately grabbed him to check his mouth, nothing in there, then I held him in front of the filter so to get water passing through his gills and as he started to wriggle I let him go. It took him about 5 minutes of swimming and then sinking and floating sideways but, slowly he went back to normal. Water params are good and he seems to be fine now. Does anyone have any clue as to what might have been wrong with him? Scared the crap out of me for sure.:(

Here's some pics.

cichla 001.jpg

cichla 002.jpg

cichla 003.jpg

cichla 004.jpg
 
They are super sensitive at that size. Could have exhausted himself catching the live food, ammonia spike, low oxygen etc. When they are that small they really are like taking care of a baby. Gotta watch them alot.
 
what temp are you running the tank on?
 
id start of by increasing that to 87 degrees as a mininmum to avoid diseases and ich.
 
silverdragon;2460976; said:
id start of by increasing that to 87 degrees as a mininmum to avoid diseases and ich.
Click to expand...


I raised it to 90 so it should stay around there most of the time. I don't think that has anything to do with his little fit but, You're right about the temp, it should have been that high since the beginning.
 
cute lil guy.
hes probably really stressed.
make sure the water has ALOT of oxygen and keep the temp. high.
add some salt.
 
Good save. I agree he's probably really stressed and all the food chasing got the better of him.
 
ADD SALT NOW! I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER MOVING MY CICHLA AND instantly after throwing in the salt my Orino turned upright. He was on his side for over an hour.
 
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