My Cichlids are dying

[Cichlids4ever]

Hi all.
I have been away from the forum for quite a while due to lots of work and no time for computer.
I had to go on a business trip recently and came home to find a disaster in my cichlid tank.

We had lost power while I was gone, and with no filtration, I guess that’s how my entire stock of P Kenny’s developed septicemia.

They are hopeless and need to be removed and destroyed. I had a friend from the local mom and pop pet shop come over and he verified that these fish are goners.

I read the thread on euthanizing fish but I still have questions.

If I use oil of clove, I assume that after the fish are removed I need to do a complete 100% water exchange and start all over again with cycling before adding fish?
Am I right?

The reason why I need to treat the whole tank is due to the fact that I cannot catch these 5 inch monsters with a net, or else I would do it in a bucket and not have to poison the entire 75 gallons.

Suggestions????

[MiramichiMob]

If you mean treating your whole tank by putting the oil of clove right in the tank I would suggest against that. IMO it would be very difficult to clean afterwards. I would do the bucket thing and just go buy a big net,,they're only a few bucks. I also heard of freezing the fish in the freezer,,not too sure about that though,,maybe ask someone that knows.

[Cichlids4ever]

If you mean treating your whole tank by putting the oil of clove right in the tank I would suggest against that. IMO it would be very difficult to clean afterwards. I would do the bucket thing and just go buy a big net,,they're only a few bucks. I also heard of freezing the fish in the freezer,,not too sure about that though,,maybe ask someone that knows.


The problem is more than needing a larger net.
I have some serious rockscapes and a ton of hiding places in this tank and one wrong move with the net and I could have 75 gallons of water on my hardwood floors :-)
I thought by putting them to sleep with oil of clove would be the answer, but if I cannot clean the tank after that, well, I guess I am stuck.

Anybody have ideas?

[BoredAgain]

The dosing for clove oil is based on the amount of water, so dosing the whole tank would be a waste. You need to get those fish out, so start dismantling your rock work to get them, if that's what's needed.

[nimdabew]

if it isnt much trouble, take all of the rock work out and work them to some side or corner of the tank and net them individually. you wouldnt have to go out and buy a new net either, just one more step towards restocking?

[Cichlids4ever]

Thats what I thought.
Thanks for the input.

[Oii]

If you can't move the rocks in your tank then why did you bother putting them in there?

[Cichlids4ever]

If you can't move the rocks in your tank then why did you bother putting them in there?

I never said I couldn't move the rocks.
I have created one of the most beautiful and efficient cichlid tanks I have ever known in my 40 years of fish keeping.

Each rock is placed perfectly to give my fish all the caves and hidind spaces that Mbuna need.

It is extremely hard to move these rocks around while there are living fish in there. That is why I want to euthanize them first before I restart my aquarium.

[nimdabew]

if they are already heading towards the grave.... i understand you dont want to hurt or kill them while they are still in there, but would that be better than twiddling your thumbs wondering what to do while the disease creeps along until it hits a vial organ?

[Cichlids4ever]

if they are already heading towards the grave.... i understand you dont want to hurt or kill them while they are still in there, but would that be better than twiddling your thumbs wondering what to do while the disease creeps along until it hits a vial organ?


Exactly...
I have been lowering the temp each day by a few degrees and they have been slowing down. They were extremely aggressive.

I have now managed to get the two largest out and working on the rest.
I am very sad at this point. I have had these fish for a few years and they have won photo contests here for me. Very sad

Thanks to all for your input

[Coler]

Really sorry to hear about this - everyone's nightmare.

(I don't know what the point of that question about why you would put rocks in that you don't want to move was by the way)

I know if I came back to find my fish goners I would be just gutted. You have all my sympathy.

[mozart]

Sorry to hear about your fish. Turning off the heat sounds like an excellent way to slow them down. Best wishes.

[Cichlids4ever]

Really sorry to hear about this - everyone's nightmare.

(I don't know what the point of that question about why you would put rocks in that you don't want to move was by the way)

I know if I came back to find my fish goners I would be just gutted. You have all my sympathy.

Hey Coler...Long time between drinks!

Yup...I am deeply saddened by what has transpired here. I have got them all out and they are at peace.

I am seriously thinking now of just keeping it tropical.
I do not know what to get. The reason I had Mbuna was that they are so colorful, like salt water almost.

I don't know where to start but at least I have things under control, if you want to call it that.
Good to here from you!

[SchizotypalVamp]

I'm so, so sorry! That sounds heartrending.

[Cichlids4ever]

I'm so, so sorry! That sounds heartrending.

Thank you for caring.

These fish were my life, ya know?

I raised them as babies and took care of their babies and now they are gone.

I just have to figure out what's next for my tank.

I don't want anything too big anymore. It was very difficult dealing with these big guys as I watched them go to sleep.

[mechanic]

I can't help you with your clove oil question as I've never used it.
I'm sorry for you and your fish though. :(
Best of luck to you.
Eric