Hutty
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2013
- Messages
- 39
I hope I posting this in the correct area still new to this forum. So. I had a 13" tiger shovel nose that I decided I wanted to move to a place that he would be better suited ( I found him a home). I love cichlids (mbuna) I have had them before. Jessie (my wife) loves their color and the way they interact. Sooo I digress. The tank had been running for about 2 years I removed the cat and did a 50% water change I relocated him. In the tank were a 6" jack dempsy an 8" Oscar (I adopted him he was gonna get flushed) an a convict. I added to the tank (on Sunday) 4 mbuna all about 2" and 2 2" bala sharks (I know how big they get and I have a plan but the wife liked them happy wife happy life) then last night I added 2 more mbuna 2" a 3" pictus cat another bala and a common pleco 3" (yes I know they get large) so my problem started this morning. All and I mean all of the fish were breathing very hard and 1 mbuna was laying on his side breathing very very hard. Well not being new to this I checked levels and all were in check (test strips) I know they are not accurate but it's what I had my API test kit is currently enroute. I added another air pump with a large air stone and did a 40% water change. Well the mbuna that was laying down is now swimming around like normal and all fish seem to be acting normal also. Breathing rates have returned to somewhat normal and they were eating. Like I said not a newbie but this has me puzzled. I run 2 large canister filters (not sure on the make but they were filtering 2 110 gallons before I got them now they are filtering 1 110 gallon) so filtration shouldn't be an issue and I have 2 air pumps with 3 large air stones. Water ten is around 77-80. Any insight would be awesome. I don't think in over stocked I had 16 mbuna in a 37 gallon before (OVERSTOCKED) and didnt have this issue. Thanks y'all. Btw I taking a water same to my lfs after work today. Thanks y'all.