What the hell?

[Trippingpara]

I am open to any ideas out there...Over the past few weeks, I have begun to lose some of my cichlids. The first one, I just chalked up to fighting (he was the small one of the bunch). The next one was the largest and oldest of them (about a year old) and now I just found the next largest and oldest (about 10 months old). What the hell?

The tank has been up and running for over a year. I just checked my parameters and they are perfect. I'm running an AC110 and an xP3 on the 55g tank. The latest one to die (a Red Zebra) had no outside wounds or marks of any kind, but it looked like he suffocated to death (his mouth and gills were fully extended). The other two showed no signs of any problems at all (before or after death). I know they are getting plenty of oxygen with both the AC110 and the xP3 spraybar agitating the surface water. Any clues? I would really like to nip this in the bud before anymore die.

 

[I<3fish]

Add a bubble wand.

 

[Trippingpara]

I really don't think a bubble wand will help with all of the surface agitation that is already there, but I could be wrong. Anybody else?

 

[I<3fish]

I would try a bubble wand and keeping heat at high temperature (76-80) and when doing water changes add dechlorinator

 

[I<3fish]

Actually!!! I know what it IS!!! it is some kind of internal parasite tell me what there excretion looks like or take a magnified pic with a magnifying glass.

 

[Lupin]

I am open to any ideas out there...Over the past few weeks, I have begun to lose some of my cichlids. The first one, I just chalked up to fighting (he was the small one of the bunch). The next one was the largest and oldest of them (about a year old) and now I just found the next largest and oldest (about 10 months old). What the hell?

The tank has been up and running for over a year. I just checked my parameters and they are perfect. I'm running an AC110 and an xP3 on the 55g tank. The latest one to die (a Red Zebra) had no outside wounds or marks of any kind, but it looked like he suffocated to death (his mouth and gills were fully extended). The other two showed no signs of any problems at all (before or after death). I know they are getting plenty of oxygen with both the AC110 and the xP3 spraybar agitating the surface water. Any clues? I would really like to nip this in the bud before anymore die.

What are your water parameters exactly? What test kit are you using? How often and how much water is replaced? What is the stocklist right now?

I would try a bubble wand and keeping heat at high temperature (76-80) and when doing water changes add dechlorinator

You have a point on use of dechlorinator. Test your tapwater and check with the water company if they have done anything to your water supply.

Actually!!! I know what it IS!!! it is some kind of internal parasite tell me what there excretion looks like or take a magnified pic with a magnifying glass.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion yet that internal parasites are indeed the cause. It is possible but we need more details first. Protrusion of scales, eyes popping out of sockets and distended abdomen are usually signs of internal parasites, damaged organs, bacterial or viral infection.

 

[Trippingpara]

What are your water parameters exactly? What test kit are you using? How often and how much water is replaced? What is the stocklist right now?

My parameters are:
pH = 7.8
Ammonia = 0
nitrites = 0
nitrates = 0

The kit I am using is from AP, not those test strips, but the drops and vial kind. My standard maintence routine is 25% water changes weekly like clockwork. I use Prime everytime I change the water. The current stocklist (aka the survivors) is as follows:
2 Red Zebras
3 Yellow Labs
2 Moori's
1 Msobo
3 Kenyi's
2 Metriclimas

All are 2.5" or less. It is a 55g tank running an AC110 and a Rena xP3 canister filter. The AC110 has the stock media in it (sponges, carbon, and bio-balls) and the xP3 has its stock media (sponges, bio-balls) with some scrubbies added to the mix.

When I inspected the dead fish, I noticed no signs of injuries, bloating, extruding eyes or scales, or damaged fins. The only thing I noticed was on the most recent death, the fish looked like died gasping for air. There were also no signs or symptoms noticeable previous to their demise.

 

[Titania]

How old are your test kits? Test kit reagents do go bad, so it's possible you're not reading what's actually there. The 0 nitrates is suspicious.

 

[Trippingpara]

The zero reading did throw me for a bit. The test kit I used is a bit old, so I just grabbed my kit from my other tanks (only a few weeks old) and retested the tank. Here are the readings from that kit:
pH = 7.8
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 5

The temp of the tank is a steady 80.

 

[Lupin]

How old are your test kits? Test kit reagents do go bad, so it's possible you're not reading what's actually there. The 0 nitrates is suspicious.

My exact thoughts.

The zero reading did throw me for a bit. The test kit I used is a bit old, so I just grabbed my kit from my other tanks (only a few weeks old) and retested the tank. Here are the readings from that kit:
pH = 7.8
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 5

The temp of the tank is a steady 80.

Results are much more accurate at this point. Lower your temperature to 76 degrees Fahrenheit and update us again after a few days. 80 degrees seems too high especially for Lake Malawi cichlids that demand high levels of oxygen.