OT: Any Cichlid experts here?

[jordan3548]

Ive been caring for my wifes brothers fire belly cichlid since it became ill we're talking 2.5 months ago I have him in a 5 gallon tank with a heater air pump and a place to hide. Now for the WHOLE 2.5 months hes been on his side and only his side every once in a while he'll try to swim but its spuratic. Ive treated this fish for parasites,ick,and fungal internal and external infections and hes still on his side. Half of me says theres no hope to flush him but the other half will not allow me to I am determined as long as he stays strong ill be here and take care of him. Hes been treated with copper for 2 months. When he bought him it was fine.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be and how to treat it? I feel bad seeing him on his side

 

[coral88]

It's stress odds are in a bigger tank with more things in it he wouldn't act that way. Is it maybe a fire mouth?and not a fire belly.
I would say stop treating it and give it a more suitable home.
Hope that helps
Good luck

 

[jordan3548]

Yeah a fire mouth sorry

 

[SmokeyCFH]

It sounds like its got an issue with it's swim bladder. if it's eating, try feeding it a pea. api aquarium salt inhances treatment...most cichlids also prefer harder water. When I first got my oscar it sat at the bottom of the tank on his side and it was due to the crushed coral in the tank, it had to get used to the difference in water.

 

[coral88]

Thought so. They are really tuff fish. But almost always if a cichlid is starts laying on it's side it is stressed. You could try covering the ends and back of the tank so he canonly see out one side. Also do you have gravel in the tank if not that would help as well.

 

[coral88]

If it was swim bladder it would be floating not laying on the bottom. And allthough they are cichlids thay are south America cichlids and don't really come from hard water. And with the amount of time he has been in that tank he is not stressed from the change in water.

 

[SmokeyCFH]

he never specified where he was in the tank. He just said he was on his side and his swimming was sporadic. You're right, they don't come from hard water but they can adapt.

 

[mainereefer]

first off what kind ow water did you use? and fiy firemouths dont like hard water only africans do
firemouth should have a ph of 7 and need lots of room
have you tested the water for amonia? my guess is it is a water quality issue buy some amquil+ and see how it does

 

[returnofsid]

I used to breed several species of Cichlids, including T. meeki (Firemouth Cichlid). In my opinion, most SA Cichlids need to be in a tank of at least 55 gallons. My guess would be that your fish is too stressed out to move, due to being in such a small environment. A 5 gallon tank would be appropriate for a couple of guppies, but that's about it.

It could also be suffering from copper toxicity. Why are you treating it with copper? Why have you been treating it with copper for 2 months!?

Get it in a larger tank, with appropriate water conditions and a few terra cotta pots, to hide in.