Help!!! :(

[EBenns]

So my bumble bee cichlid got himself suck in a little cave a couple days ago and since I got him out he hasn't been eating and I notice last night that his fins are VERY beat up especially his tail. I don't know if he's just getting picked on now (he was the leader/toughest of the tank) or if this is some kind of sickness.

 

[rmiller]

From your pics it looks like it may be fin rot. Can you tell us what your water parameters are?

 

[EBenns]

From your pics it looks like it may be fin rot. Can you tell us what your water parameters are?

I hate to say it but I don't have a test kit (I'm just a teenager without a job, my parents buy my things) the tank is well established and I haven't had any problems yet, I do about 30-50% water changes every week.

 

[EBenns]

It's a 60g tank with 12 African cichlids with a HOB Aqueon quiet flow 55/75 filter for up to 90 gallon tanks

 

[rmiller]

That's understandable. Maybe request one for Christmas? They sell on Amazon for around $20.

Without knowing for sure if there is a water quality issue its hard to say for sure exactly what's going on. I would start with doing an extra 30% water change each week for a while and see if you notice a difference. Make sure you vacuum the substrate thoroughly each time. Melafix can help to prevent secondary infection if it is a battle wound.

 

[EBenns]

That's understandable. Maybe request one for Christmas? They sell on Amazon for around $20. Without knowing for sure if there is a water quality issue its hard to say for sure exactly what's going on. I would start with doing an extra 30% water change each week for a while and see if you notice a difference. Make sure you vacuum the substrate thoroughly each time. Melafix can help to prevent secondary infection if it is a battle wound.

Yea I was planing on getting one for Christmas. I will do the extra water changes. The melafix will also help if it was fun rot too right? If not what will?

 

[rmiller]

I prefer not to medicate without knowing for certain what I'm treating for. The extra water changes should do most of the work. Since melafix is a natural remedy I have no issue with adding it. Some say it does nothing at all, but others swear by it. Either way it won't harm anything.