two part question

[Piznal]

1. I just started my new tank. Yesterday, I switched the light on to feed my fish. While I was feeding my fish I noticed a wormlike creature squirming to the top of the tank. It is about 2mm in length. It was clear and seems to have a small head, or at a black spot on the top of the creature. Do you guys know what it may be? And do I have to be worried? I thought it might be a parasite at an adolescent stage.

2. I started my tank with one firemouth. After about two weeks I added anohter firemouth. The older fish is constantly pestering the new one. I know that this is normal for cichlids, but what can I do to help the little guy survive? They do not have much of a size decrepency. Have a few rocks that only one fish utilizes. The punkee always hangs behind the heater. Any suggestions?

 

[mooman]

the "parasite" could be alot of things. Most possibilities are harmless. We've all got different populations of invertebrate scavangers in our tanks. In a well maintained tank, you usually don't even notice them. If you start to see them alot, think about gravel vacing more frequently, and feeding less.

As for the the firemouths, first get more structure. wood, rocks, flowerpots. Anything that breaks the line of sight within the tank. You really can't have enough structure in cichlid tanks. Out of sight is out of mind for these fish. Second, when you add this additional stucture rearrange the stuff that's currently in there. This will destroy any territorial markers, and hopefully give the new guy a chance to establish a territory of his own. Good luck.