Cichlids dying

W

wcvanorman

AC Members
Dec 22, 2005
7
0
0
Lawton, OK
I have a 55 gal tank that is still cycling the Nitrites and I have lost four fish to date, two of them today, the others over a week ago. One thing that I have noticed is that it is always the least dominant ones. Before they die they don't show any physical signs on them, they just lay around in the tank and then die. Now what I am wondering is if I accidently bought some that were not compatable with the others. The only reason that I don't think this is the problem is that I have never seen them fighting. I have seen them chase each other, but the ones that died were never involved in the chasing, they just hid. The water parameters are:
PH 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 5.0
GH around 150
KH around 180
I have been doing 25% water changes every other day, and am currently using Seachems Stability as of yesterday, I also use Seachems prime when doing water changes. These are my first Cichlids so I may have made a mistake in identifying them but here is what I think I have; an Iodotropheus Sprengerae, a Metriaclima OB, a Metriaclima Estherae OB, a Melanochromis Interuptus or Johanni (unsure), some sort of female Melanochromis, and a Melanochromis Chipokae. I am not replacing any of the dead fish until I am absolutely sure that the tank is cycled, but recommendations are welcome for later, as well as any suggestions for now. Also how many is recommended for a 55 gal.? I know of several websites that recommend slightly overcrowding with cichlids to prevent aggression.
 
Could be stress this will sometimes kill fish. It's happened to me. when you added the fish did you acclimate them put the bag in the water add 1/2 cup of water from the tank, wait a while and repeat?
 
Yes they have actually been in the tank for a few weeks. Right after Thanksgiving, but unfortunately at the time I had never heard of cycling. I have had 10 and 15 gallon aquariums in the past and never done it. Never had any problems with them, must have been lucky. Right now I think I am in the downside of the Nitrite spike. Hopefully I have lost the last one, because all of the others are pretty active. Any suggestions on future fish when the cycle is complete? I was thinking of an Auratus, but I am afraid it will fight with my Chipokae. What do you think?
 
I would not reccomend putting an Auratus in a tank that size especially with your current list of fish. More than likley the Auratus would end up wiping out the rest of your livestock, these guys are viscious. It's too bad that they're so nice looking, this makes them desireable and widly available. IMO a fish as aggressive is this shouldn't be sold everywhere.
 
I'll start the 50% changes today. I hate these web sites from aquarium companies with advice. They are so conflicting. I'll have to pass on the Auratus, I knew they were aggresive, and I was afraid it would fight with some of the others, I did not know if the Chipokae would keep it in line, because everything that I have read makes chipokae out to be like freshwater tiger sharks.
 
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