Sick Cichlids

Fish and food wastes produce ammonia.
One set of bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites.
Another, nitrites to nitrates.

The nitrates are removed by water changes and/or plants.

However, the nitrate test is just an easy method for us to see where our tanks are, without doing complicated and costly chemical testing.

We more importantly change the water to leep DOCs (dissolved organic compounds) low and the TDS (total dissolved solids) up. When we do the water changes, minerals that maintain (buffer) the ph are replenished, and DOCs go down.

Fish do not read pH and can adapt to most all conditions between 5.5 -8.5; stability is the best vice some unique number.

Your tap source can have natural concentrations of ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, and it can vary over the year.
 
I think I understand the mechanism now...

I wanted to post a pic here to show my sick guys, but can't figure out how to upload from a file. Is that possible, or do I need to have pics up on a web source to post them here? The insert pic tool doesn't give any option but a URL location (for me).
 
if youve had your tank for 2-3 years, why are you having an ammonia spike? did you rinse or change any filter media or substrate lately? or is it from changes in your tap water?
your no3 is very high. could be because of this recent ammo spike, but what is your usual water changing routine?
cichlids usually get HITH from not-so-good water conditions... like the ammo or very high nitrates.
for a better test kit than the test strips, i recommend API liquid test kits that come with a little tube. you should have them at your petsmart.

how long have your nitrates been that high?
if you are positive that they haven't been that high for long at all, you would probably benefit from doing bigger water changes.
if the nitrates have been that high for a while, you still need to get them down.
if you do too big/too quick water changes, the fish could go into shock from the drastic change in water conditions, so you need to do them slowly. 10-15% a day should be good. this gives them time to adjust to the clean water they need.

all these problems sound like they could have originated from iffy water quality. the fish could have gotten stressed and were more susceptible to disease.
id get the water liveable before adding any more medications.

good luck, hope it works out
 
I don't know for sure why the spike:

Before these guys started looking so bad, I added the demasoni and a juvi auratus--both pretty small. From what rbishop mentioned earlier, that could be an issue. My male auratus is pretty dominant, but he didn't seem to mind the new guy, hopefully 'gal' for the sake of tank harmony. That could be one factor.

I did add a few feedings, trying to catch two others for a transfer. Trying to catch them in general, I'm sure stressed everyone out. At that point, though, the two Ahlis were already sick. Additional factors in the spike, none-the-less.

I used the Melafix, and then the Rid Ich+ (supposedly for more than just ich). I did a hefty water change between, but added the Rid Ich+ a day or so (maybe 2) later. (???)

I've been keeping the tank at 7.0-7.2 (ish) pH b/c of the mixed tank. I buffered the water change (after Melafix) to bring the pH up a little. The new water was 7.8 when I added it. I thought that would be okay, since it would be diluted with the old water, and it takes a few hours to get all of the water added... probably not good? Even still, I'm sure how 7.0 (+/-) plus 7.8 begot 9.0! IIRC from the buffer directions, higher pH can cause NH3 to go up; so, I guess that could be ANOTHER factor...though it didn't go up at all within that week or so, until yesterday.

I cleaned deco during the water change. I usually do since it's easier to get out with less water in the tank. I rinsed everything thouroughly, and never had trouble b/c of that before.

That's about all I can think of. I suppose that's a lot? OH, and I took out the few plants I had in there, and planted them in the new tank...but they were pathetic little stubs b/c of all the nibbling. Giving the size of the tank, I can't imagine they were doing much.

As of this afternoon, NH3 is 0.2 (still old kit) (Ammonia-N mg/L (SW)), and 1.0 ppm (mg/L) on the strip. NO3 is 40-kit, 80-strips (at least it's not neon pink today). NO2 is 0, and pH is 8.4-kit, 8.5 strips. My PS carries an API brand test-kit w/liquid reagents, but it's not in stock. I'm sure can order it somewhere though...

Can anyone view the pictures in my links? I can't seem to upload individual pics w/o getting the red x. The links are to my myspace albums--the last two should go directly to the fish. Maybe someone can make a diagnosis by the pics? They aren't the best quality, but my camera isn't either.

Thanks for all of the help and advice...I haven't lost anybody yet. I hope I can keep it that way!
 
I am unable to access the myspace pics.

but none the less will give my 2 cents

rinsing the filter media..are you rinsing the media and decor in old tank water?
or fresh tap?
you can destroy your bio filter is you are not careful when rinsing..usually less problems when risning in old tank water .

the fish turning dark is usually a stress indicator. but the ammonia level could trigger this stress. unfortunately..when they stress they are more prone to infections and infestations. without seeing what the Sx are,,it is difficult to dtermine the issues.
white poo (if present)can be a sign of either bacterial infections or parasite infestations(internal) also the 'sucked' in look could point to the same issue.
 
Attached (I think!) pics of Ahli with worm/white patch...last one shows him front of younger Ahli to show colour contrast--though I think he was always a deeper blue than either of the younger two... I thought I had a pic of sick Ahli #2 (w/o patch), but all turned out to be the 1st guy.

Please let me know if these work, and what you all think this looks like.

100_0463.jpg 100_0469.jpg 100_0464.jpg
 
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Okay...update:

NH/NO3's are nil. I did the first 30g to get clear from the Ich treatment, then Ammo-lock stuff, then another 20-ish, and then another 20-ish this AM. I was really afraid to mess with the salt thing--so I didn't do that. The one guy looks nearly 100%. His fins are still a little scraggly, but not bad at all compared to b/4. He doesn't look sunken at all. His colour is still darker, but his stripes are back, and I think he's going to pull out fine.

The other guy though. He's doesn't look any better now than b/4. He was acting fairly normal up until a little bit ago. As I was banging out my last post, I noticed he's hanging at the top. That's not like him (or ANY of them) at all.

I'm worried. That can't be a good sign. Should I quarantine him? Meds? I still have the Parasite Clear (praziuantel, diflubenzuron, metronidazole, and acriflavine in it). Should I try the salt now? Does the pics above help w/a dianosis/es? I really want to save him.
 
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