african cichlid temperature

[Catlid]

whats the highest temp i should keep my african cichlid tank at?

[jeffro426]

Depends on species, but i keep mine at 78 and will go no higher than 80

[Catlid]

its cuz i think they are starting to develope ich. a few of them are scratching at the sand.

[valerie]

If you are treaing Ich you should first figure out why they got ich. Check you water parameters and see if anyhtign is wrong. Add any new fish lately?

You can either treat ich by doing the salt/high temp way or by using meds. I have never done it by raising the temp and adding salt. I use meds. I have used Jungle labs, Ich guard and ich guard 2(i think thatst the name) with great results.

But are you sure they have ich? Any white dots? because flahing in the sand can mean somethign else.

[Kanstar]

it could be caused by wrong water chemistry, check the nitrates, ph and ect.

[PumaWard]

Flashing is also done when they are looking for food.

[valerie]

It can also be terriroial/dominace thing

[Catlid]

well theres no whuite spots yet, i just heard rubbin the substrate or rocks is the first sign. ph is like 7.6 dont know the other ones

[Kanstar]

7.6 is pretty low for the cichlids. I keep mine at 8.3-8.5 but this is only due to the fact that the water in my area is incredibly hard.

[Catlid]

well the pH test i had only goes to 7.6 so maybe its higher. i need to get a wide range tester

[scholar]

7.6Ph is 0on the low range but itis ok. Mine has been at 7.6 forever with no problem. When they scratch on the sand. osmething is bothering them. I would do a 30-50% waer chang now and keep opn doing it every three days until they stop. :)

This gives youtime tofigure out what is/was the problem.