side scraping?

[TankBoss]

Is it normal for some cichlids to scrape the side of their body against the gravel or rocks? My adult male Johanni does it the most.

 

[Lawngnome]

I'm pretty sure it is, mine did it too.

 

[HUKIT]

Is it constant or occasional? High nitrates, parasites, and drastic swings in ph can also cause this as well.

 

[TankBoss]

Is it constant or occasional? High nitrates, parasites, and drastic swings in ph can also cause this as

Occasional. What is done if it was parasites?

 

[kholton]

If it's parasites, and their "scraping" themselves then you should be able to see something in most cases. Otherwise I would say it's fairly normal. Many of my Malawi Cichlids do it. But I would agree with you, my johanni does it more than the rest...

 

[TankBoss]

If it's parasites, and their "scraping" themselves then you should be able to see something in most cases. Otherwise I would say it's fairly normal. Many of my Malawi Cichlids do it. But I would agree with you, my johanni does it more than the rest...

Cool. Thanks for the input. It hasn't been a worrisome amount... just curious.

 

[kholton]

No problem! Glad I could help.

~Kaden

 

[hdultra]

tank,

Post you water testing results.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Mine do this on occasion. If your water parameters look good and there's no sign of disease on the fish, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[hdultra]

Mine do this on occasion. If your water parameters look good and there's no sign of disease on the fish, I wouldn't worry about it.

I agree.

 

[HUKIT]

tank,

Post you water testing results.

I was getting at the same thing since high nitrates with africans is the most common cause of excess flashing.

 

[TankBoss]

I will as soon as I get back to the store. I bought the wrong testing kit... just saw "ph" and $5.00 and grabbed the wrong one. Do you recommend the testing strips?

 

[mattrox]

Use the liquid test kits. More accurate and relaible.

 

[TankBoss]

Will do. I'll post the results later. Thanks.

 

[TankBoss]

Ph 7.8
Nitrites 0 ppm
Ammonia 0.25 ppm
Nitrates 80 ppm

 

[TankBoss]

weekly 25% water change is tomorrow.

 

[HUKIT]

I would start doing daily water changes until your tank is completely cycled.

 

[TankBoss]

I would start doing daily water changes until your tank is completely cycled.

How much water?

 

[hdultra]

Up to 50% Tankboss

 

[TankBoss]

Up to 50% Tankboss

Wow. Daily?