Fish Swimming Nose down and Nose up

greensparrow

greensparrow

AC Members
Jul 30, 2010
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Castle Rock, CO
Hey Everyone!

I have a problem. I bought 3 yellow lab cichlids last friday to put in my 125 gallon tank with the other 3 yellow labs I already had. Well tonight I came home and one of them was dead, one was swimming nose up and the other is swimming nose down. The 3 I ogriginally had in the tank are doing fine. Does anyone know what it means when they swim nose up or nose down? It is almost like they cannot keep their body right side up. Also, assuming that anyone has an answer for this, is there anyway to treat and is this also contagious? My water params are - ammonia - 0ppm, nitrites - 0ppm, nitrates - 0ppm and ph is at 8.2. I appreciate any help I can get.

Other than the swimming nose down or nose up, they look healthy appearance wise.
 
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Could it be swim bladder disorder? I am not sure it is an issue of balance. It is almost like they are swimming against a current but staying in place facing up and the other is facing down.

If they see me coming up to the tank they will swim upright, but as soon as I step away they will go back to doing what they were doing.
 
How long has the tank been running? 0 nitrates usually means it is not cycled all the way.
I think it is a swim bladder problem. Fasting and feeding things such as deshelled peas might help. I don't know much about cichlids but they do need some veggies to keep from having these problems.
 
It has been close to 3 weeks now. I had thrown a bunch of media (gravel, decor and hob carbon filter) from my other tank. Took up to my the LFS (strictly fish) and they tested the water for me and said everything looked good. Seemed like he knew what he was talking about. Since I have been testing with my master kit and get same results as above. Been doing weekly water changes (10-15%).
 
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