Please help my Astatotilapia latifasciata!!!

tsalvageboy

I have a 70 Gallon tank with mixed species, yellow labs, Tropheus, Aulonocara stuartgranti, Metriaclima Estherae, blue esthrae, Neolamprologus tretocephalus, clown loaches, and Astatotilapia latifasciata. 25 fish total.

The tank has been set up for over a month now, probably about 5 weeks. It is cycled, however, I had all the fish in the tank before it was completely cycled.

My temp is at a steady 80 degrees F. Ammonia is at or below .25ppm. Nitrite is at or below .25ppm. pH is staying steady at 8.0. Nitrate is around 40ppm.

The fish have been in the tank about 3 weeks. None have had any problems or show signs of any. I feed HBH African sinking pellets, and algae discs. No fish are brand new. I do a 20% change every week now. I use prime for chlorine.

This is my "sick" Astatotilapia latifasciata

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Below is my other healthy Astatotilapia latifasciata


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Both pics were taken today with the sam camera...the color of the two is different.

Please help the poor fella, i dont want to have to flush him.

The only thing i think is strange is, a few of my fish especially the Aulonocara have a lot of the black sploches on them. Is that normal for juvies?

Thanks for any help,

Tim

herefishy

Your fish could have an external parasite. Treat with a medication dedicated to such maladies. You can also add a little aquarium salt to help him along and deter propogation of the parasite. Remember to do a water change and filter over carbon after the medication has run its course.

Lupin

We do not suggest flushing a fish down the toilet as it is considered inhumane. Consider the fact that the fish may die a painful and slow death with all the chemicals found down the toilet. Severing the spinal column with a knife or using clove oil will do the trick.