Itchy cichlids???

[crashf100]

Hi,just noticed over the last few days that alot of my cichlids(mixed african lakes) are darting down to the gravel substrat & kinda scratching thier sides??? I cant seem to see any visible signs of spots or any strange growth ect.any tips/ ideas would be greatly appreaciated.

 

[Convict2161]

Hi,just noticed over the last few days that alot of my cichlids(mixed african lakes) are darting down to the gravel substrat & kinda scratching thier sides??? I cant seem to see any visible signs of spots or any strange growth ect.any tips/ ideas would be greatly appreaciated.

I don't think it's anything to worry about if there are no signs of anything. Mine do that all the time and it's the same (mixed African tank) they shoot down into the sand and go sideways.

 

[crashf100]

Thanks for that.I noticed that my two yellow tail acei "pseudotropheus sp acei" were the first to do it & then over a couple of weeks several of the others joined in.?? Being new to cichlids but not so new to aquariums i guess ill just keep an eye on them.Thanks again.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Thanks for that.I noticed that my two yellow tail acei "pseudotropheus sp acei" were the first to do it & then over a couple of weeks several of the others joined in.?? Being new to cichlids but not so new to aquariums i guess ill just keep an eye on them.Thanks again.

+ 1 its normal
It is called flashing if you don't have salt in the tank you could try a little it may or may not help

 

[crashf100]

Thats really cool to know.Thanks

 

[Andrew McFadden]

No problem I think mine got better with the salt or they grew up lol

 

[crashf100]

Yeh i use a product by aquasonic called rift lake water conditioner.its just salt & minerals.also hardens the water & helps keep ph up.

 

[DoubleA]

API also makes a product called African Mineral Salts that I use in my tank to help condition the water. They still flash on occasion, I like to think of them as dancing... haha!

 

[Convict2161]

Seachem makes a salt as well.

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/CichlidLakeSalt.html

 

[absolutangel04]

Moved to cichlid section.

 

[HUKIT]

+ 1 its normal

While that's true in some circumstances there are also all sorts of reasons for flashing, such as high nitrates, external parasites(not all are visable, some in gills), swings in PH after water changes, or other things in the water column such as some water conditioners or outside chemicals. So without a little more background I would say it could be FAR from normal.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

While that's true in some circumstances there are also all sorts of reasons for flashing, such as high nitrates, external parasites(not all are visable, some in gills), swings in PH after water changes, and some water conditioners. So without a little more background I would say it could be FAR from normal.

Hmmmm...:/

 

[crashf100]

Got to love different view points.Thanks to everyone's ideas.Ive got some research to do by the looks of things.