Malawi cichlid ill

[Regz8000]

My largest Malawi has got a disease of such, so I went to my Lfs seeking advice which was a STUPID idea because he told me to kill the fish. I knew this would not solve it because I have no new additions so it's through the water. If I kill the fish( which I don't want to) it would still be in the water. Pictures included which show a cloudy bubble eye and he has what I think is a fungus around his fins and gills, any help on how to treat this would be much appreciated thanks

 

[Brookster123]

It almost looks like an ammonia burn. How's the water test out?

 

[Regz8000]

Minimal ammonia and all the rest are zero which was done once by me and also the Lfs

 

[Brookster123]

How old is the tank? Why are you using as a test kit?

 

[Regz8000]

The tank is about 3 years old

 

[Regz8000]

My test kit is api master and my Lfs use a different one but not strips, I tested to check out if there was any water problems and was skeptical so got the Lfs to do one too

 

[Brookster123]

So what's up with the ammonia present? Is it a well stocked, well filtered tank? How often do you change water?

 

[Regz8000]

It's well stocked but it is fitted with a ehiem external canister filter which is overkill and it's cleaned out every week about 45% with tap safe and filter is done even more regular so is always cleaned out. It's stocked because of breeding an I only started with a few and they bred like mad.

 

[Brookster123]

Sounds like your overstocked and under filtered, leaving your water quality a bit less than desirable, how bigs the tank? Can you take some to the Lfs??

 

[Regz8000]

Tank is about 500 litres the bred fish are still very small but are being removed very soon, the filter is meant for more but I never trust that and so always clean it out. As I say it's only the one fish with the problem and would like to work out a way to save him thanks

 

[Brookster123]

Clean water is the way to save him, most issues like yours can be resolved by simply having extremely clean water, a weekly 50% wc with conditioned tap water is the trick! Can you set up a hospital tank?

 

[Regz8000]

Would love a hospital tank but misses and room would cross off that option and I do 45% now so easily can take out a bit more which I do currently do once a week thanks