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I woke up this morning to my jewel cichlid without color (she she's usually very bright and beautiful) and just looking sick. Hanging out towardsthe top. Lastnight before I went to bed she looked normal! I do regular water changes and she has a companion, a blue zebra that I notice has taken advantage of her legthargic-ness and decided to tease her all morning, by chasing her. What would cause a fish to lose color and swim towards the top? There is algae starting to form on my tank and I'm not sure of the detriments completely. Please help! I've had her for almost two months and this is the first anything hugely abnormal has happened

hi Jillie, I'm sorry I can't help with answering your questions, but I can help by asking the inevitable questions that other people will need to know...

Water Parameters
There are many things in a fish tank that can cause a fish to appear sick, when natural toxins or water chemistry are not just right.

Ammonia:
Nitrite (note the I)
Nitrate (note the A)
pH:
Temp:

If you do not have one or more of these, please take a bag of water to the fish store and ask them to test it for you. Most will do this for free. If not, try another store. Make sure you write them down so we can review the numbers with you.

Tank Information

Tank Size (gallons and dimensions if known):
Stock List (Quantity/Species):
Filtration (ex: Penguin 330, Whisper 40, Fluval 204, etc).


Last edited by whetu at 25-Feb-2005 13:14

Also just wondering does she seem to be gasping for breath as she comes to the top?

I second the motion for parameters. We always need to rule out the environment, especially since some fish are more sensitive to toxins than others - even within a species. I'd be interested, in particular, in nitrite.

Note if the gills are moving rapidly, in addition to what is asked above about the approach to surface.

It's a 29 with just her and a blue zebra....with a whisper filter


I changed the water a little more and she seems to be better, but I think the blue zebra is picking on her more and more so I might give them to someone that has two very large tanks because I just don't think the jewel is happy and i don't want her to die!

Jillie, when you ask for help, you must provide answers to questions ask, or at least address them.

Have you checked the parameters requested above?

We can't help you unless you help us. Please read all of our questions and answer them as best you can. If you don't have testers at home, please take a bag of water to the fish store for testing.

I didn't add this before, sorry. When I got the water tested everything was fine they said for cichlids. They said it sounds like I may have added not enough conditioner and it only affected the jewel.

Since I did the water change and added a tiny bit more conditioner, my jewel's color and energy are back!

thanks for the help, sorry I didn't have the numbers

Some conditioners require twice the amount in order to deal with chloramines. Read carefully to see what yours says. I have one that requires one drop per gallon for chlorine, and 2 drops per gallon for chloramine. Chloramine - a combo of chlorine and ammonia, is very deadly.

I actually add twice the amount of dechlor - not that I am recommanding this for everyone, I just think my fish do better and also it covers any changes the water board might make to the water(this has happened to me before)
GFG

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