Help

[britsmith9211]

I was having no luck in the unhealthy fish forum so I'll try here

I have a 40 breeder with African cichlids in it. I've been noticing lately that they've been rubbing there sides on the sand and rocks in the tank.
There's nothing on them no spots missing fins or anything.
I just did a 25% water change today and they're still doing it.
Help me please

 

[Foskett96]

Scratching against rocks and sand is a sign of white spot in the early stages.

 

[dangreen7]

Could be velvet disease, it makes the scales look kind of slimy and fluffy, it is similar to white spot and needs to be treated ASAP as it is highly contagious. To look for it on your fish turn of all lights in the tank and the room then shine a flashlight onto the fish.

 

[squirrilah fish]

What's your Nitrates? Cichlids scratch for tons of reasons, excessive scratching is sign of something bad.

It could be as simple as the water quality, high nitrates,

Or it could be Ich, velvet, flukes, thread worms, bacterial, fungal, any number of diseases.

Check your water quality, and then look for any other symptoms that might give away what it is.