what's stressing my keyhole cichlid?

[caseopia]

I have a 38 gallon tank with 4 keyhole cichlids, 4 panda cories, and a clown pleco. One of my keyholes seems very stressed lately. He spends all of his time in one corner of the tank behind plants, and is showing dark colors typical of a stressed/frightened keyhole. His fins are clamped as well. He only comes out during feeding, when he eats and returns to his normal coloration. His fins are clamped even at this time.

I know that there is something that is stressing this fish, i just have no idea what... all other fish are healthy, temp is 78, pH 7.4, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5

I added some salt a few days ago, which has had no effect... i have never had any success using meds, but i am willing to try if someone has a good suggestion

 

[tanker]

Maybe one of the other keyhole?? Cichlid can be aggressive towards their own kind.

 

[caseopia]

could be... but i've never witnessed any aggression between my keyholes

assuming that was the case... is there anything I can do aside from removing the fish from the tank? (there's really no other place for it to go right now)

 

[mooman]

My guess is also aggression. You might need to watch them for an extended period of time to see it. Most cichlids are aware of observation and do not display "normal" behavior while being watched. I'd suggest turning all the lights in the room out one evening and watching them for a good 15 min. If you don't see ANY signs of aggression, then start looking at health reasons.

 

[caseopia]

what would be my next steps if aggression is the cause? As i said, i don't have many options for alternate homes for the little guy. Aside from this tank, I have a 30 gallon tank with 2 fantail goldies, and my 10 gallon hospital tank was recently converted into a classroom tank for my preschoolers (with a betta, 4 harlequin rasboras, and 2 cories)

I'm not sure if either of these tanks would suffice as a temporary home for my keyhole. Probably not the goldie tank, but maybe the 10?

Right now I have the affected fish separated from the others in one of those "observation containers". The container is hanging over the edge of the tank, into the water, allowing the fish to benefit from the tank's heater. I put him here to see if it would help him de-stress, but i'm not sure how well it will work (it is very small). I have also kept the lights out today.

would rearranging the tank decor to force the fish to re-establish territories help? I don't want to have to watch this little guy slowly die of stress.

any suggestions welcome! :huh:

 

[Holly9937]

Rearranging might help, I don't think isolation will if it is a very small container its in. Also, maybe some more plants or caves, hiding spots, etc. I wonder if getting another 1 or 2 would help? I'm not sure how those fish are in groups, so don't take my word but I thought keyholes were supposed to be pretty nice tempered fish. Maybe it is like other fish, where if there is a bully, the extra numbers help even out the aggression

 

[mooman]

I don't think rearranging would work unless you took both fish out, did total rearangement and then added both fish at the same time. Even then cichlids will remember who was boss most of the time. Maybe you could remove the betta to a bowl and put the keyhole in the ten. It would be tight, but keyholes seem to be pretty relaxed swimmers (more like apistos than rams). Adding additional fish might help to spread aggression, but if it dosn't then you have several fish that need homes. Will the LFS not take it back?