but with no sign of ick PLEASE HELP
2007-02-04 16:39:33 · 8 answers · asked by Olga M 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Ich is not the only parasitic disease. What your fish are doing is called "flashing." They flash when they are trying to scrape off some sort of parasite that has attached itself to the fish's body such as ich, but it also could be fish lice, anchor worm, body and/or gill flukes, trichodina or velvet. You need to look at this link that describes these various diseases and then take a close look at your fish to see if you can tell what is on your fish based on these descriptions and then treat them accordingly. The second link is for a treatment called Parasite Clear. You can get it at PetSmart and it is an all-round treatment for all parasites and does not require that you raise the temperature of the water. Good luck to you and your fishies!
2007-02-04 16:50:20 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do a partial water change, maybe as much as 1/3 of the tank. Run the temp up to at least 80 f, in my decades of experience the higher temp is easier to maintain, and keeps the general parasite load to a minmum. That should help, without knowing what specific problem you are trying to combat.
2007-02-05 03:55:48 · answer #2 · answered by PartyTime 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flashing without signs is more likely nitrite poisoning. Don't bother checking your ph. Most african cichlids to well from 7-9 and many south americans from 5-7. That is the range where you will find any drinking water, so if you don't die from drinking it then it should be fine for your fish.
2007-02-05 06:14:58 · answer #3 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check your ph.
Take one third of the water out of the tank and replace it with fresh water with any chemicals removed.
Clean your filter materials. Im assuming you mean ciclids.
It sounds like you have a severe water quality problem.
If you don't have one get a ph test kit and test your tank 2 times a week for a 10 gallon, and once a week for anything larger.
My Oscars did well at 7.0. (Oscars are ciclids).
2007-02-05 00:48:38 · answer #4 · answered by Norton N 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do they show anything else? Are they eating? are their fins clamped, breathing heavy, color faded? What kinds of cichlids are they? Without any details you can't get an appropriate answer.
Have you researched your cichlids to make sure you know their needs?
Go to www.cichlid-forum.com. There you will find lots of good information and a forum where people can ask you questions to which you can respond and get better help.
2007-02-05 06:11:15 · answer #5 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to do frequent water changes anytime anything dies in your tank it makes crazy amounts of ammonia and needs a complete cleaning. you should also do routine gravel vacuums and water changes weekly and probably more depending on what size your tank is and if it is overstocked.
2007-02-05 01:53:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh there is nothing to worry about. If they're rubbing themselves on smoother surfaces like flat rocks, then its just like scratching their backs. It basically feels good to them. My father was a breeder of this species and I've also raised my own, and its common behavior.
2007-02-05 01:23:54 · answer #7 · answered by Plastic Rats In Toupees 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A fish? I dont know what that is but I hope you find your answer.
2007-02-05 00:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by Poptart 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋