Help all around

[Amber Lynn]

I am 2-3 years into my fish experience and am still puzzled.

My African Cichlid is an aggressive fish, always attacking my other African cichlid and pulls my Pleco by his fins and tail. It is a 55 gallon tank. I had to move my nice cichlid into a hospital tank because the “Killer” cichlid has stressed him so bad that his swimming fins were tearing apart. He is actively healing and regrowth of his fins are happening.

My now “Killer” cichlid has a mossy covered left eye and looks like it’s on his head. I don’t know what this is or how to treat it and I can’t get a good picture. I don’t know what to do.

I bought plants 2 years back and now have a snail infestation and no plants because Killer attacked those and they didn’t survive.

I tested my water and the nitrates are in safe zone, but I have extremely high alkalinity and hardness which I believe is from the hard water. I cannot purchase a reverse osmosis system because I live in a house under the roof of someone who would never allow this.

What do I do?

 

[kevgib67]

Hello, sorry for your struggles. This is a saltwater forum. But many have a freshwater background and some are running both. I hope someone here can help you. Here’s a couple running both maybe they can help. @Calmwaters @00W

 

[Calmwaters]

If you mean his eye looks cloudy or fuzzy it could be a fungus which will need to be treated with medicines. If you have a small infestation you are feeding too much so they are multiplying more because there is an abundance of food.

 

[Fish Fan]

I am 2-3 years into my fish experience and am still puzzled.

My African Cichlid is an aggressive fish, always attacking my other African cichlid and pulls my Pleco by his fins and tail. It is a 55 gallon tank. I had to move my nice cichlid into a hospital tank because the “Killer” cichlid has stressed him so bad that his swimming fins were tearing apart. He is actively healing and regrowth of his fins are happening.

My now “Killer” cichlid has a mossy covered left eye and looks like it’s on his head. I don’t know what this is or how to treat it and I can’t get a good picture. I don’t know what to do.

I bought plants 2 years back and now have a snail infestation and no plants because Killer attacked those and they didn’t survive.

I tested my water and the nitrates are in safe zone, but I have extremely high alkalinity and hardness which I believe is from the hard water. I cannot purchase a reverse osmosis system because I live in a house under the roof of someone who would never allow this.

What do I do?

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Sorry to hear about your "Killer" Cichlid. I think @vetteguy53081, @Jay Hemdal or maybe @Cichlid Dad could help if they have a minute.

A couple thoughts that I hope will help: African Cichlids can handle high alk and pH, so I don't know if that's the problem. I do know that Plecos are New World Fish and much prefer softer water, so that may not be a great fish combo for that reason. And if the Pleco's getting attacked all the time, it might be time to rehome one or the other fish.

As far as a potential pathogen and how to treat it, we're going to need some clear pics or a short video of the fish to help. Try using the brightest, whitest lights you have for clarity. If you take a video, it's best if you can first upload it to YouTube, and then link that back here. This way, all R2R members are sure to be able to view your video. Videos uploaded directly to R2R cause some difficulty with some browsers or operating systems for some members.

Good luck!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am 2-3 years into my fish experience and am still puzzled.

My African Cichlid is an aggressive fish, always attacking my other African cichlid and pulls my Pleco by his fins and tail. It is a 55 gallon tank. I had to move my nice cichlid into a hospital tank because the “Killer” cichlid has stressed him so bad that his swimming fins were tearing apart. He is actively healing and regrowth of his fins are happening.

My now “Killer” cichlid has a mossy covered left eye and looks like it’s on his head. I don’t know what this is or how to treat it and I can’t get a good picture. I don’t know what to do.

I bought plants 2 years back and now have a snail infestation and no plants because Killer attacked those and they didn’t survive.

I tested my water and the nitrates are in safe zone, but I have extremely high alkalinity and hardness which I believe is from the hard water. I cannot purchase a reverse osmosis system because I live in a house under the roof of someone who would never allow this.

What do I do?

I recommend a sole tank for this fish as it is no longer a community fish
What cichlid is it?

 

[Amber Lynn]

If you mean his eye looks cloudy or fuzzy it could be a fungus which will need to be treated with medicines. If you have a small infestation you are feeding too much so they are multiplying more because there is an abundance of food.

Yes his eye looks cloudy and fuzzy. I picked up some anti fungal. Thank you for your input!

 

[Amber Lynn]

I recommend a sole tank for this fish as it is no longer a community fish
What cichlid is it?

It is an OB Peacock Cichlid. I am going to re-home the Pleco as suggested. I think I will move my black bumblebee cichlid into the community tank (will now be solo), and move the OB Peacock to the hospital tank to treat the possible fungal infection of its eye.

If you mean his eye looks cloudy or fuzzy it could be a fungus which will need to be treated with medicines. If you have a small infestation you are feeding too much so they are multiplying more because there is an abundance of food.

 

[Amber Lynn]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Sorry to hear about your "Killer" Cichlid. I think @vetteguy53081, @Jay Hemdal or maybe @Cichlid Dad could help if they have a minute.

A couple thoughts that I hope will help: African Cichlids can handle high alk and pH, so I don't know if that's the problem. I do know that Plecos are New World Fish and much prefer softer water, so that may not be a great fish combo for that reason. And if the Pleco's getting attacked all the time, it might be time to rehome one or the other fish.

As far as a potential pathogen and how to treat it, we're going to need some clear pics or a short video of the fish to help. Try using the brightest, whitest lights you have for clarity. If you take a video, it's best if you can first upload it to YouTube, and then link that back here. This way, all R2R members are sure to be able to view your video. Videos uploaded directly to R2R cause some difficulty with some browsers or operating systems for some members.

Good luck!

I appreciate your information, and now knowing that they can thrive in higher alkalinity makes me worry a lot less. I will be re-homing the Pleco as you suggested. He is currently 10 inches long and I believe is just too large for my 55 gallon. I only had the OB Peacock and the black bumblebee Peacock with the Pleco, but the OB “Killer” is just soooo aggressive. I am going to move OB to the hospital tank and treat him for the potential fungal eye infection.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is an OB Peacock Cichlid. I am going to re-home the Pleco as suggested. I think I will move my black bumblebee cichlid into the community tank (will now be solo), and move the OB Peacock to the hospital tank to treat the possible fungal infection of its eye.

Yes peacock and African terror can be horrible