AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

11 posts • Page 1 of 2

Member introductions and random (non-aquarist) topics.


markthecat
 
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:40 am

AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by markthecat

MY AFRICAN PEACOCKS WERE SCRATCHING AGAINST OBJECTS NEVER SAW ONE SPOT OF ICK. NEVER LOST ONE FISH DO TO THIS.SO I LOOKED UP EVERYTHING SOME SAID THIS AND THAT. MY WATER IS FINE EXCEPT FOR NITRATES WHICH IS AROUND 40PPM.THE FISH ARE FINE AND HEALTHY.NTRATES HAVE NEVER CAUSED FISH TO SCRATCH.MAYBE UNLESS THERE OFF THE CHARTS. SO I DECIDED TO DO A TRAIL TEST. I KNOW THERE ARE PARASITES YOU CANNOT SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE. SO I TURNED UP THE HEAT TO 87F UP MY SALT AND USED MICROLIFT PARASITE MED.DAY1 STILL SCRATCHING DAY2 STILL SCRATCHING.DAY3 NO SCRATCHING.DAY4 WATER CHANGE STILL NO SCRATCHING EVEN AFTER A WATER CHANGE.DURING THIS TIME I KEPT UP WITH MEDS AND HEAT/SALT.EVERY 3 DAYS I DO A 15% WATER CHANGE. TODAY IS THE 5th DAY STILL NO FLASHING/SCRATCHING. WILL CONTINUE TREATMENT FOR ANOTHER 5 DAYS.SO FAR EVERYTHING IS GOOD,FISH LOOK GREAT!SO THE END OF MY STORY IS THIS IF YOUR FISH ARE FLASHING ITS A GOOD CHANCE ITS SOME SORT OF PARASITE OR BATERIA.IT DOSEN'T MEAN IT WILL KILL YOUR FISH JUST IRRITATE THEM LIKE CRAZY. SO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS. TREAT OR NOT TREAT.


kate_kuhli
 
Posts: 268
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2016 2:04 am
Location: Florida

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by kate_kuhli

I'm glad you've found a treatment that seems to be working!

I would definitely treat, too. As you said, it irritates them like crazy, whatever this is. So that's reason enough! Not only must they be unhappy with the constant scratching but that's something that will get their immune system down and then they'll be susceptible to more health problems. It's good you've quickly nipped it in the bud!


friend_of_fish
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:25 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by friend_of_fish

Thanks for posting your treatment plan, this might turn out handy someday! It does sound likely that it was parasites. I hadn't heard of that brand of parasite meds so I'll definitely try that one if I run into similar problems :)


markthecat
 
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:40 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by markthecat

THANKS FOR THE REPLIES1! NOW I HAVE HEARD OF UV STERILIZER ALSO WORK PRETTY WELL WICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT BATERIA IN THE WATER COULD ALSO CAUSE THIS.JUST MAKE SUR YOU GET ONE LIKE GREEN KILLING MACHINE.


asher
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 5:36 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by asher

Oh I've heard of UV sterilizers! Never actually knew what they were for though so that's pretty cool to hear they work against bacteria! From a quick online search it doesn't look like they cost too much either so they sound like a good thing to choose when you're having issues with your aquarium and don't know for sure what the cause is.


markthecat
 
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:40 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by markthecat

yes set thr uv on a slower flow contact time with bateria and parasites is important 24watt uv works great. warning do not buy a cheap ebay one like sunsun. has been known to shed black stuff that can harm your fish.again go for greeen machine uv sterilizer


xxluckxx
 
Posts: 53
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:25 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by xxluckxx

Sound advice! :D

Are african cichlids susceptible to this or was it just a one-time thing for you? Just curious. African cichlid tanks are incredible looking, I'd like one when I have the space for a nice sized tank.


markthecat
 
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:40 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by markthecat

THE TANK U SEE IN THE PIC IS MY FORMER 135 GALLON AMERICAN CICHLID TANK.MOVED AND SINCE THEN I HAVE A 75 GALLON AFRICAN CICHLID TANK PEACOCKS.TO ANSWER YOUR Q?IN MOST CASES YOUR AFRICAN CICHLIDS WILL SCRATCH.NOW WHAT ITS DUE TO CAN BE SEVERAL THINGS SOMETIMES IN MOST CASES PARASITES OR BACTERIA.NOW I SAID MOST CASES NOT ALL I HAVE KEPT SOME IN TIMES PAST TREATED THE TANK FOR EVERYTHING AND THEY STILL SCRATCHED.SO THIS COULD BE WATER PROBLEMS.IN MOST CASES THE SCATCHING WON'T KILL YOUR FISH,UNLESS IT GET SOO BAD THEY START TO LOOSE SCALES THEN YOU MUST TREAT. OTHER WISE THEY WILL STAY HEALTHY AND LIVE.


xxluckxx
 
Posts: 53
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:25 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by xxluckxx

That's good to know! Now I'll know what to expect, and not like freak out if I see my african cichlids scratching lol.


friend_of_fish
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:25 am

Re: AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

by friend_of_fish

Your scape is nice Markthecat, I like the placement of the driftwood and rock. :)
Is that real plant or artificial?

AFRICAN CICHLIDS SCRATCHING.FINALLY STOPPED IT

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