Can someone please help. I have Malawi cichlids In my 200L tank. I have a 2ft air pump, pump outlet entering at the top breaking my water at the top of the tank. I've had two liquid water test at local aquatics stores both times water has come back spot on, no concerns. In my eyes I have my tank set up in a perfect condition for malwis but they seem to be hovering at the bottom of my tank gasping for air I did wonder if it might be malwi bloat or swim bladder disease so I've not fed them for 48 hours now and I put in a few frozen peas as I read that they can be like a laxative for fish to help clean out there system a bit. Any opinions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Please help
- Thread starter Delboy632
- Start date
Yeah it is new about 7 weeks and I've had the fish in there for about 5 weeks. Not all of them are it seems to be my yellow lab, bumble bee, and acei. I've also got a blue dolphin, and a couple of ob peacocks and 2 bristle nose plecs. They are eating but not keen. Usually as soon as I open the lid on my tank they are straight to the top going crazy now they just seem happy to graze, I only feed them cichlid flakes (fishscience Malawi flake food) and i have been feeding them twice a day but it is literally a small amount between my finger and thumb. Occasionally i give them some cucumber.i have a external aquamanta efx 300 flow rate 1100L/h. Thanks
OB Guy
Administrator
To me it sounds like there hasn't been enough time to establish beneficial bacteria in the aquarium and filter. I know you mentioned the water is testing good but I think your water hasn't fully cycled. I'd recommend doing a 25% water change and adding either Aquavitro Seed or Seachem Stability per the label dosing instructions to get the beneficial bacteria built up quickly. I've used both of these products on new aquariums with great results and healthy fish. Also I would cut way back on feeding until you are done dosing the aquarium with either Aquavitro Seed or Seachem Stability.