Why do my African Cichlids have a loss in appetite and are sluggish?

Question

I have 10 African Cichlids and 2 Plecos in a 39 Gallon tank, each cichlid an average of 2" in size. I've had these fish for about a year now. So the local petsmart was remodeling their store and said that I could have all their old fish decorations for free. I got a bunch of rocks and plants. I'm thinking this is awesome. So I took all the plants (about 5) and soaked them in hot water for about 15 minutes then planted them in the tank. Afterwards, it seemed the fish were excited and exploring. This was yesterday afternoon. Today is about 11:00pm and I'm noticing that they are sluggish, hiding and not eating anything, very unusual for them since they are very active and aggressive fish. I'm worried it may have something to do with the new plants. Can anyone offer any wisdom on why this is happening?

Answer 1

your tank is WAY overstocked...


First off what are your water parameters?
like Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, and PH?


and get rid of BOTH OF THE PLECOS...they are poop machines!

Answer 2

I would first suggest checking your heater and the temperature of the tank. If not that then check for an ammonia or nitrite spike. However, that said I think you simply disturbed established territories so much nobody (fish wise) knows where they should and shouldn't be so they are attempting to adjust to the change. Check the above things and then give hem a few days to see how they act. In the mean time do watch for any obvious signs of disease as even after the hot water bath it's possible something got introduced with the plants. Best of luck and if I can help any further feel free to drop me an email.

MM

Answer 3

your tank is not overstocked and its probably not the plants, i would be willing to bet your heater is not working properly, check the temperature of the water, it should be around 75 to 80 degrees, if the water is cold they will be sluggish and not hungry. if thats not it then its possable they have gotten very territorial over the new hiding places and dont want to take a chance at giving up there new favorite spot, try moving the plants around again or temporaraly remove some of them to see if they become more active.

Answer 4

I think they need to have a little time to adjust to their new decor and surroundings_African Cichlids are pretty territorial and when you change things in their tank they have to start over again establishing territories or heirarchies as mine always do when I re-arange rocks and caves in their tank. It can take some time to get used to things. I'm guessing that you have had them with the same decor and set-up since you've had them for a year and if that is the case they are probably just not used to that kind of change and they need to get used to it. Because you are like God to them in making their habitat be what it is for them, it's kind of like you forced them to move to a new house even though it is the same tank and they aren't neccessarily prepared to deal with it yet.

I would watch them for a nother couple of days and if they don't perk up I would give them a nice hearty 50% water change if you haven't already_ this always perks up my cichlids_ or consider re-aranging things in a way that may be more to the likeness of your fish somehow, maybe removing the plants (I assume they are plastic).

I have a 55gal African cichlid tank and I used to have large fake log ornaments and fake plants in there for almost a year and for the last couple months they had seemed rather stuck in a rut or depressed. I decided to give them a change and I completely redid the tank from the ground up with all natural materials like dolomite sand, grapevine wood, rock slabs and shale made into many nice caves for them and ever since they have been really peppy and happy and active and they seem to love their new environment! I think this particular environment is better suited for African Cichlids in general than what I had before. I can certainly see a difference in them for the better.

All fish can be sensitive to physical surroundings and environment and I think they have preferences in what they may like and don't like. Remember that this is a home for them and not for you_what you like, they might not like. It can be heard to know sometimes considering you can't just ask them what they want, but if you pay attention to their reactions and attitudes to changes in thier surroundings you will be able to adjust things to better accomidate what they want.

I have one very large 'bumblebee' cichlid that is like the leader of my tank and I can swear that he communicates with me by his actions when I am arranging things in their tank for them. If I watch him after I change something he will check out all the ins and outs and let me know if he approves or not. It's pretty amazing! Thay are very intellegent and expressive fish if you read them by their actions.

I hope this may help at least a little.

Answer 5

if i were to change all of your surroundings.....?