Cichlid Behavior - rubbing against gravel

[Cichlidlovers]

All my Africans rub themselves on the gravel and rocks I have in the tank is this normal? Also lol they seem to do a little boogy every now and then almost looks like a seizure lol? Maybe silly question but I really want to get as much knowledge as I can about these beautiful fish.

 

[QTOFFER]

The behaviour you describe is called flashing - it's a sign of ich or a gill parasite.
Can you see any white spots on the fish? Check out the article about ich http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=32
it has some good pictures of what to look for.

 

[Cichlidlovers]

I know all about ich and no there is no spot or discoloration. I will read up on gill parasites, thanks for the link.

 

[QTOFFER]

Sometimes ich is present on the gills before it becomes noticeable on the skin. Anyway the flashing and shimmying you observed can be thought of as the fish' attempt to scratch an impossible-to-reach itch. I would do a 10 - 20% water change - it will help to alleviate some of the fish' stress.

If it's ich on the gills, the heat treatment will work like a charm. I've never had any experience with gill flukes or parasites other than ich, so I don't want to recommend medications. Check back later and I'm sure you'll get more suggestions. I'll also move this thread to the FW Unhealthy Fish forum, so it will get more targeted attention.

 

[NJFishman]

your having the same symptons mine are having right noqw although mine seems to be at a very early stage I only noticed it 3 or 4 times in 3 weeks through hours and hours of observation. Below are 2 medications for gill flukes, fish lice.


http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=28041&category_id=3459&pcid1=2233

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=28121;category_id=3445;pcid1=2233;pcid2=