African Cichlids Dying

[t3ch]

Hi everyone,

Lately i've been having issues with some of my mbunas dying one after the other, about 1 per month and I can't figure out why. Water parameters are good and fish behave good. Any idea why? I've attached a picture of the last dead one and just before he died.

Thanks

[elf_poop]

Is this some sort of disease spreading to them one by one?

[t3ch]

I don't know this is sort of what i'm asking i'm quite worried as I started to add more fish (the issues started with fish i've had for over 2 years) and i'm hoping to double them from around 20 to 45-50 and want to make sure I won't loose 50 fish...

[elf_poop]

I don't know about cichlids, but, probably need more info. So you're saying the older fish are dying and your newest are fine? Or random?

What symptoms 48, 24, 8 Hours before death? lethargy? Loss of appetite? Anything protruding from the vent? Does the vent look bloated or sunken? Heavy laboured breathing? All same symptoms before death or different?You could try treating with bacterial, protozoan and fungal treatments as it's worth a shot.

[t3ch]

I've had some of the new ones die but it's 90% my old mbunas that are affected, some of these fish are probably close to 10 years old.

Before they die usually not a lot of symptoms, the one I took a picture of I was lucky enough to see him before he died, most of the other ones were fine the day before and I found them dead in the morning. No loss of appetite and the only physical things I could find (in the case of mbunas) is what I took in the picture, that sort of discoloration on their skin.

[elf_poop]

Not sure if this is any help as I haven't had enough mysterious fish death experiences.

The only time I can think of was when some fish died, I couldn't find their bodies, and then I got a 'sulfur' smell coming from my canister filter, and some more fish died (but some lived). Water parameters (pH, nitrate/nitrite) were fine, can't remember if I tested ammonia. I was informed my tank went through a hydrogen sulfide cycle and it was suggested I stir up the sand to release the gases and clean the filter again. Another one was a long time ago I had added polished rocks to the aquarium without boiling. When they were boiled, gross black stuff was dispelled and they've been fine with fish since. If it is not disease, then it might be some foreign substances that can't be detected. Have you tried cleaning your filter with aged/treated water lately?

The discoloration (and clamped fins) is usually from stress, submissiveness, or generally not feeling 'well'. My german blue rams (and angels) lose their vibrant colors due to any of those.

That pic looks like the fish has a sunken stomach, did they? You said no outward symptoms though?

Edited August 11, 2016 by elf_poop

[t3ch]

Not sure if this is any help as I haven't had enough mysterious fish death experiences.

The only time I can think of was when some fish died, I couldn't find their bodies, and then I got a 'sulfur' smell coming from my canister filter, and some more fish died (but some lived). Water parameters (pH, nitrate/nitrite) were fine, can't remember if I tested ammonia. I was informed my tank went through a hydrogen sulfide cycle and it was suggested I stir up the sand to release the gases and clean the filter again. Another one was a long time ago I had added polished rocks to the aquarium without boiling. When they were boiled, gross black stuff was dispelled and they've been fine with fish since. If it is not disease, then it might be some foreign substances that can't be detected. Have you tried cleaning your filter with aged/treated water lately?

The discoloration (and clamped fins) is usually from stress, submissiveness, or generally not feeling 'well'. My german blue rams (and angels) lose their vibrant colors due to any of those.

That pic looks like the fish has a sunken stomach, did they? You said no outward symptoms though?

I didn't add any new rocks, driftwood or anything else in over a year in that tank so that shouldn't be the issue. The way I clean my filters is I clean one under tap water (easier to clean) and then will clean the other filter 2 weeks later to leave time for bacteria's to reseed the filter and then I rotate like this. I have 1 fluval 405 and 1 fluval 406 + 2 powerheads.

For the fish discoloration it is possible indeed that it is from stress or submissiveness. I have been having some aggression issues which is why i'm trying to get to 45-50 fish. When these fish were in my 55 gallons it was problem free. Now that they are in the 135 that's when aggression started.

Edited August 11, 2016 by t3ch

[Burbot]

If they are 10 years old there is a good chance they are hitting the end of their natural life span. The scales do seem a bit distended in the first picture which could suggest bloat, but without the huge bellies this seems unlikely. NLS makes a medicated food with traces of garlic which helps with intestinal issues but I really think you have healthy fish which have lived a long and happy life and met their natural end in a tank of a good fish keeper.

[t3ch]

Hopefully that's all it is