Need expert help on flowerhorn cichlid problem?

Question

I need some help from experts. I have purchased a juvenile flowerhorn and have kept it in my new 200 litre tank, planted. For 2 days the fish was ok, and then it started rubbing itself in the gravel, increasing the frequency. I supposed it was fluke so gave the water some fluke treatment. Since yesterday, the fish has stopped rubbing itself on the gravel, but has settled on the bottom of the tank, still upright, but with very less movement. It is still eating allright. I changed the water temperature to 29 degrees..no more medications..

After turning up the temperature, the fish is not rubbing at the gravel anymore, but is now on the surface of the water. It is not gulping for air, but is in the water surface and slightly tilted on its balance, sort of trying to keep its balance..seems like a new symptom..?

Answer 1

It sounds like the pH of your tank water and the pH of the water it was living in were drastically different. Check your water right away and then have the store where you bought the fish tell you or check theirs and tell you what pH they have in their tanks.

Unless your fish is very strong, it will eventually die from the pH shock. An immediate .5 change will shock most fish and eventually kill them.

Peat moss in the filter will lower the pH and there is a commercial chemical called pH Up that will raise it. I hope it is not too late if that proves to be the problem.

Answer 2

try doing small frequent water changes what are your water parameters?