Help with my Malawi's

[kibbleboy]

I am new to the cichlid world but loving it so I would appreciate any and all feedback.

My tank is 3 weeks old, I put 6 (on the mature side) Malawi's in about 1 1/2 weeks ago. SO far the tank seems to be cycling OK, I have had amonia issues but they are under control. However yesterday all my fish have started swimming at the top of the tank altogether. They seem to be mouthing the surface on the water, alomost like they are trying to get fresh air.

I put 2 new fish in there today and they died within a few hours, can anyone help??

 

[kay-bee]

What are your current ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings?

What's the temperature of the water?

How did the new fish behave before they died and can aggression from the other fish be ruled out as a cause? How were they acclimated to your tank water?

 

[atc_ben]

What size tank? Is there any surface agitation for gas exchange? What's the temp?

 

[wobble]

As others have stated. We need more info.

ph
gh
kh
nitrite
nitrate
ammonia
temp
tank size
filtration

 

[rosita]

More info will help--sounds like the tank may not have been cycled far enough along---do you have a "liquid" test kit? Aquarium Pharmaceuticals has a good master freshwater kit--go to PetSmart online and print off a copy of it, it'll be alot cheaper. I've learned so much from many folk here, and am focusing on cichlids now!!!! Good luck!!! ~renee

 

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

It sounds like you are experiencing a nitrite spike... which IMO can be even more deadly than ammonia. Do frequent 10% water changes to keep the levels low (but still to allow the tank to cycle).

But as others have stated, a full run down of your water parameters will help, although I have a feeling its a nitrite spike.


-Diana