How should I handle this?

[SBGGrace]

Hello Everyone,

I was given three(3) Blue-Eyed Cichlids (Cichlasoma Spilirum). Two(2) males and one(1) female. They were given to me inside of two(2) plastic bags. A big male (about 3 inches) and a smaller female (about 1.8 inches) together in one bag, and the second male (about 2.3 inches) in a seperate bag. The solitary male looked a little beat up (scales missing) and the guy who gave them to me told me that if I put that male in the tank, the big male will take out his aggression on the smaller male instead of the female. Everything that I have read about these fish says that they should be kept in pairs. Anyway, I brought the fish home and put them in my 5 gallon quarrantine tank. As I was feeding them, I discovered that the female has one eye missing. :cry: The large male and the female would not eat, but the smaller male did eat.
I think that these fish may be diseased or very stressed. The coloring on them is a flat brownish color instead of their natural color. I want to give these fish a fighting chance, but I am a newbie to the hobbie. I know that newbies should not be trying to nurse sick fish back to health, but I do not want to just let these fish die. It appears that the previous owner was not caring for them the way they should have been cared for, so returning them, I fear, would mean certain death. Any hypothetic diagnosis and suggestions for treatment would be greatly appreciated.

[Rex Karr]

Well, as far as we know, they don't have any infections, diseases, or parasites. They are just roughed up. I would keep them all divided in the 5 gallon so that they can not hurt each other (they may not, but why risk it right no). Add cavees, fake plants, even PVC pipes if that al you have. Just give them a place to hide and feel secure. Add some salt. Say 1 tbsp now, and keep adding one tbsp each day until you have 5 tbsp's in the tank. Keep the temp about 76-78 degrees F.. Don't feed anything now. Wait for 2-3-4 days until they have settled in and feel more comfortable. Then offer them food. After several days, any ripped fins should heal, any open wounds will heal (don't expect that eye to grow back though :roll: ). After a week or two if they seem to be doing ok, intoduce the trio into a larger tank (what size tnak do you have).

Hope I have helped
Rex

[SBGGrace]

Thanks for the feedback Rex. I'll begin the salt process tomorrow because I plan to do a partial water change at that time. I have already put a fake plant in the tank along with two flower pots for caves. The only thing remaining is to seperate them. My main tank is 55 gallons. Do you think the dull coloring is more a product of stress and not disease? Thanks again....

[Rex Karr]

55g's should be fine for these guys. What other fish are in it now and what other fish do you plan to add?

There is no reason to think the dull coloration is disease. Cichlids often lose their bright colors when stressed.

Rex

[SBGGrace]

Hi Rex,

We don't have any other fish in the large tank yet as it is still in the process of fishless cycling. Tested it last night and all of the amonia is gone from the water, but the Nitrite levels are still pretty high. Once it has completed cycling, we were planning to add some Corys, Kribs, and possibly a couple more drarf cichlids.

[SBGGrace]

Thanks for the advice Rex. The fish are starting to do a little better. Their color is starting to come back, they are beginning to eat and they are becoming a bit more active. This is good! :D My only concern is that there appears to be a white coloration right behind the pectoral fins. Is this normal or is it some kind of disease? The smaller male has a larger coloration than the larger male and the female doesn't have the coloration. Any help would be appreciated. I really don't want to see these fish die. Thanks Rex.

[Rex Karr]

Spilirum do have white spots at the base of their pelvic fins. Look at some pictures and decide if that is what you are talking about.

It sounds like you are doing a good job caring for these cichlids. I hope they heal quickly.

Rex