Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)
Hi,
John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.
I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.
With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.
I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.
If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.
I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.
I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.
Thank you
Darragh Sherwin
Help wanted
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
First I taught white spot so I treated the hole tank and everything looked ok
My fish stopped rubbing off the sand and stones one fish died from bladder not sure the correct name
It was swimming head down. Now it looks like one cichlid has a problem with its scales they are gone flakey on one side
Is this some sort of parasite can I use food to flush out there system.
I using the same food all year flakes and pellets I do water change once a week
I added a new filter and six cichlids about three weeks ago I have 25 cichlids in a 350L
I can't see any stress and the only think I can think is maybe a fish had white spot but the lfs said they were ok
Any help or advice be great
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
Could it be a anti crustacean parasite
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- ger310 (Ger .)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1000
- Thank you received: 164
The red gills could be a few things but my first thought when I hear this is Ammonia poisoning........Have you checked your water? Any gasping?
When you added the new filter did you take out an established one? or did you just add it for extra filtration?.......Did you seed it or use mature media in it?
A picture of the fish with the flaky scale problem would help but this could be due to the flicking(if Malawi), but treating the tank with a mild medication cant do any harm (eSHa 2000 I think is good),but if you have an Ammonia problem I would address that first.........No matter what the problem is I would do a 40-50% water change straight away.
Ger
What do you call a three legged Donkey?
A Wonkey....duh ha
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Homer (Kevin)
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 907
- Thank you received: 228
H.
The Glass is always greener on the other side.
It's NOT "Chee lick", NOT "Chee Chee Licks"!!! Cichlids is pronounced as "Sick Lids"!!!!!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
if its either of these then james should look out for swollen bellies in the fish.If indeed these are Malawi then it is most likely to be bloat from incorrect Food, it could be dropsy if not Malawi Cichlids.
H.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Homer (Kevin)
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 907
- Thank you received: 228
if its either of these then james should look out for swollen bellies in the fish.If indeed these are Malawi then it is most likely to be bloat from incorrect Food, it could be dropsy if not Malawi Cichlids.
H.
I am assuming that is what he meant by flaky Scales as a result of the swollen Belly.
H.
The Glass is always greener on the other side.
It's NOT "Chee lick", NOT "Chee Chee Licks"!!! Cichlids is pronounced as "Sick Lids"!!!!!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- ger310 (Ger .)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1000
- Thank you received: 164
if its either of these then james should look out for swollen bellies in the fish.If indeed these are Malawi then it is most likely to be bloat from incorrect Food, it could be dropsy if not Malawi Cichlids.
H.
I am assuming that is what he meant by flaky Scales as a result of the swollen Belly.
H.
Hmmmmmmmm and I assumed he was talking about two different fish?
Ger
What do you call a three legged Donkey?
A Wonkey....duh ha
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
i try get someone at home to get a photo of the cichlid i am worried about with the flaky scales
the reason i treated the tank for white spot some fish had a long white sting poo its gone now and back to normal
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Homer (Kevin)
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 907
- Thank you received: 228
The Glass is always greener on the other side.
It's NOT "Chee lick", NOT "Chee Chee Licks"!!! Cichlids is pronounced as "Sick Lids"!!!!!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
Does it look like this?
H.
yes but its only on one side all the fish look healthy and are still feeding great but there is still something wrong i have found about four dead cichlids two 4 inch and two 2 inch one that died was swimming by himself, when i went to work he was ok and when i got home 12h later and he was dead
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Homer (Kevin)
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 907
- Thank you received: 228
H.
The Glass is always greener on the other side.
It's NOT "Chee lick", NOT "Chee Chee Licks"!!! Cichlids is pronounced as "Sick Lids"!!!!!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
I would still be thinking bloat, If Derek Doyle sees this he will have a better Idea, he is a Cichlid Guru.
H.
can garden pea's in a pod help with bloat you could be right but the last cichlid that died looked like it was gasdping for air can this happen from bloat
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- Homer (Kevin)
- Offline
- Elite Member
- Posts: 907
- Thank you received: 228
There are recommendations for Metronidizole, I have a few tabs if you want.
H.
The Glass is always greener on the other side.
It's NOT "Chee lick", NOT "Chee Chee Licks"!!! Cichlids is pronounced as "Sick Lids"!!!!!
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
Most definitely, as far as I know , you can get meds for this but water conditions and diet as well as bad food can lead to this, it is Bacterial, my phone is on 2% right now so cant reply for a while as away from my charger.
There are recommendations for Metronidizole, I have a few tabs if you want.
H.
hopefully i have a photo when you get the phone charged but it does look like bloat now after i reading a bit about it. thanks for the help
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
if its either of these then james should look out for swollen bellies in the fish.If indeed these are Malawi then it is most likely to be bloat from incorrect Food, it could be dropsy if not Malawi Cichlids.
H.
I am assuming that is what he meant by flaky Scales as a result of the swollen Belly.
H.
Hmmmmmmmm and I assumed he was talking about two different fish?
Ger
sorry i missed some of these comments yes one fish has flakey skin on one side thats a yellow tail acei and the other fish with bloat is a ob cichlid he looked big from the first time i got him so i never new if it had bloat or should have looked the way he does
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- ger310 (Ger .)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1000
- Thank you received: 164
As for the bloating,i'm really leaning towards a dietary problem........These guys are really prone to intestine problems if you don't get the diet balance right and also if you overfeed.
The 4 you mentioned should really be mainly fed Spirulina based food as they are Herbivores,with an occasional treat of something meaty (bloodworm etc.) just to loosen (for want of a better word) things up.
If you could post what other fish your keeping in the tank that would be great as the dietary requirements can vary a good bit and trickier to get right when keeping lots of different species of Mbuna,Haps,Peacocks etc. in the same tank.
Ger
What do you call a three legged Donkey?
A Wonkey....duh ha
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- ger310 (Ger .)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1000
- Thank you received: 164
Ok the inflamed gills and gasping is worrying so I really would recommend a really large water change as soon as you can.
As for the bloating,i'm really leaning towards a dietary problem........These guys are really prone to intestine problems if you don't get the diet balance right and also if you overfeed.
The 4 you mentioned should really be mainly fed Spirulina based food as they are Herbivores,with an occasional treat of something meaty (bloodworm etc.) just to loosen (for want of a better word) things up.
If you could post what other fish your keeping in the tank that would be great as the dietary requirements can vary a good bit and trickier to get right when keeping lots of different species of Mbuna,Haps,Peacocks etc. in the same tank.
Ger
If you could also let us know what flake and pellet food your feeding now that would be great also.......And if your going to try the pea,dont forget to deshell it and mash it a bit......if they don't go for it smear a garlic clove on it to make it a bit more appetising
Ger
What do you call a three legged Donkey?
A Wonkey....duh ha
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
one fish is at 1:20 top left corner ob cichlid
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
Im still wondering about the red gills james talked about. Ive never kept african cichlids so im way out of my dept here. Seems between ger and homer it will get sorted.
maybe its just me and the fact i have a 3 Pseudotropheus socolofi albino Snowflake
and i seen one with the red gills
fish mix of malawi and victorian
i pleco 4 catfish
FOOD NUTRAFIN MAX SPIRULINA FLAKES (this is used so all fish get some food)
Hikari Cichlid: large Pellet Floating Type Cichlid Staple Specialists (this is used most for the cichlids)
bloodworms once a week
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
this is only on one side and it looks like some shin is like flake or shedding
i dont know if skin ever falls off and new skin grows back lol
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- igmillichip (ian millichip)
- Offline
- Moderator
- Posts: 3366
- Thank you received: 536
There is potential to cause damage to the kidney.
The flaky scales look like physical damage from another fish (eg fighting or other "mouth induced damage").....but the photos are not clear enough to see.
Before treating any gill disorder, make sure that the water conditions are correct. As few people ever properly test malawi water, I would suggest simply making a few rapid serial water changes over the next few days and add some adsorbing material to reduce ammonia, nitrites and nitrates (as a minimum). Polyfilter is one of the best as it will remove certain organic materials that are detrimental to fish health.
ps. when was that video done....just able to open it after my post above
ian
Irish Tropical Fish Society (ITFS) Member.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- irish-zx10r (James feenan)
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1536
- Thank you received: 145
I am a little concerned that aquarium salt has been used in a malawi tank.
There is potential to cause damage to the kidney.
The flaky scales look like physical damage from another fish (eg fighting or other "mouth induced damage").....but the photos are not clear enough to see.
Before treating any gill disorder, make sure that the water conditions are correct. As few people ever properly test malawi water, I would suggest simply making a few rapid serial water changes over the next few days and add some adsorbing material to reduce ammonia, nitrites and nitrates (as a minimum). Polyfilter is one of the best as it will remove certain organic materials that are detrimental to fish health.
ps. when was that video done....just able to open it after my post above
ian
I have tested the water twice this week i added a 2nd filter so i wanted to be sure it didn't do any harm to the tank the amonia 0 nitrite/nitrate both 0 to 0.5 i didn't know the salt could do harm as for the fight there is one fish in the tank and i am not happy with him he is hidden in a barrel and can be aggressive with other fish when they come in around his area thew video was done on the 24th of last month
Something fishie going on here
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- paulv (paul vickers)
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1022
- Thank you received: 195
This is what i got at the lfs but i am not sure if i should use it till i know more
[/quote
]
maybe wait till you know whats up with your fish before adding any treatments.
Please Log in to join the conversation.
- igmillichip (ian millichip)
- Offline
- Moderator
- Posts: 3366
- Thank you received: 536
There was once a common belief (caused by mis-understanding the water analysis) that malawi was a "salty" lake....keepers added aquarium salt or marine salt to "emulate" the natural waters: the results that I saw brough for autopsy were commonly called "malawi bloat maladies" (it is no malady it is a symptom of poor keeping or handling)
Incorrect RedOx is a big problem in malawi tanks......incorrect addition of salts, organic acids and other things can swing RedOx into an unhealthy position for malawi cichlids.
Lack of water changes can also remove the RedOx buffering; that would also be linked to false readings regarding the general buffering capacity of the water.
With the fish described as aggressive and in a barrell......is that fish taking up a position low down in the tank?
Often, the top-dog malawi cichlid will try to get the lowest position in the tank (a bit opposite to human corporate behaviour ).
Depending on the species, some top-dog malawis are not only a serious hazard due to aggression but some have speed that will out-wit even the toughest of other species.
ian
Irish Tropical Fish Society (ITFS) Member.
Please Log in to join the conversation.