Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: scifisarah on January 16, 2013, 10:01:25 PM

Title: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 16, 2013, 10:01:25 PM
I have noticed that my female Ps. polits and Red Top Ndumbi are possibly getting sore lips/noses from their occasional scuffles. Right now it just looks like some of their brown is missing and is kind of a pinkish white underneath in a very small spot. I don't think anybody is infected or very serious, but I wondered if I should be treating the tank with something to help them heal, or if this is normal of cichlids, and they will get better on their own? Do any of you use this Melafix for cichlids: http://www.amazon.com/Melafix-Extra-Strength-Cichlid-8-Ounce/dp/B0019J6JMO/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1358391349&sr=1-5&keywords=melafix I don't have anywhere to separate them to before the auction unfortunately. They aren't really going at it all the time, just once in a while. Is it okay if I bring them to the auction with their rubbed noses?
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: African cichlid Keeper on January 16, 2013, 10:11:41 PM
i use Melafix for my cichlids. it works great.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: Regalblue on January 16, 2013, 10:29:49 PM
Any pictures? 
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: scifisarah on January 17, 2013, 08:37:33 AM
This female polit is probably the worst of the bunch. Funny thing is, it is only the females. I thought the boys were the ones I needed to worry about! I've been doing water changes every 3 days since one of my two filters has all new media. Am I still able to sell them in the auction like this, or is it frowned upon?

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8389745690_20acf92fd2_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: Super Turtleman on January 17, 2013, 04:55:08 PM
That looks like normal lip locking behavior to me.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: Ron on January 17, 2013, 05:08:39 PM
Some of the more aggressive species aren't always in perfect shape. I wouldn't frown upon it unless it had flesh hanging off or fungus had developed.

FWIW be sure to fast your fish before bagging them for the auction. This way they won't poop as much in the bag and ammonia won't build up at a fast rate. I typically fast for ~24 hours beforehand.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: scifisarah on January 17, 2013, 05:55:36 PM
Some of the more aggressive species aren't always in perfect shape. I wouldn't frown upon it unless it had flesh hanging off or fungus had developed.

FWIW be sure to fast your fish before bagging them for the auction. This way they won't poop as much in the bag and ammonia won't build up at a fast rate. I typically fast for ~24 hours beforehand.
Good to know, thanks for the heads up.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: Regalblue on January 17, 2013, 05:57:56 PM
That looks like normal lip locking behavior to me.
That's what I'm thinking too.
I'd just be sure to bag them individually for the auction,  so nobody gets murdered in the bag.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: Stan M. on January 17, 2013, 06:11:10 PM
how many per bag?
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: scifisarah on January 17, 2013, 06:18:15 PM
I will only put one fish in each double bag. They won't fight and they'll have more air and water to themselves that way.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 12:59:16 PM
I was planning on bringing the Red Top Ndumbi and Ps. polit to the auction, but I have someone locally that is purchasing them and would rather spare the fish the travel stress. Right now the two types of fish are NOT getting along well in my 65 gallon. Someone mentioned that the polit would not color up and you are right - he is really dark colored without the nice bright white he had when I first got him. The guy that wants to buy them all has a 150 gallon tank to keep them in.  Right now he says he has Frontosas that are around 2.5". I don't know much about them so I didn't know what to tell him as far as compatibility there.

Do you think that with a tank of that size, they would get along okay, or do you think he would have the same trouble as me with them lip locking and the polit not coloring up?
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Regalblue on January 18, 2013, 01:34:42 PM
I wouldn't mix Ps. with Fronts.  Mbuna are alot more active.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 02:12:05 PM
Thanks, I will let him know that and see what he thinks.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: danielratti on January 18, 2013, 02:19:04 PM
I have a red top in with a 7 stripe front. Eventually if it fits in there mouth its done for.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Ron on January 18, 2013, 02:53:10 PM
Eventually if it fits in there mouth its done for.
That's a polite way of putting it.

Long term it won't work out well.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 03:43:37 PM
He emailed back that he would not be able to make it today. I guess I will be packing them up for the auction after all. Hopefully I will make it in time. Hard to coordinate a husband, a 3 year old, 4 year old and eight fish.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: danielratti on January 18, 2013, 03:44:23 PM
Even if you don't think it will fit its a goner sometimes
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 04:01:05 PM
Goodness, fish drama. He called back and is getting another tank for the Frontosa tonight and still wants to buy my eight fish.  So would a Frontosa-free 150 gallon be okay for the four Ps. "Perspicax Orange Cap" and four Ps. polit if they aren't currently getting along very well in my 65 gallon? I don't want to pass on my problems to someone else, but thought the much larger tank might make a difference.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Ron on January 18, 2013, 04:07:00 PM
A front-free 150 with decent aquascaping should be just fine for those species.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Regalblue on January 18, 2013, 05:20:04 PM
I wouldn't doubt that He's just saying that so you'll sell him the fish.
Maybe you should just bring the Polits to the auction & sell them to me. :P
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on January 18, 2013, 05:34:28 PM
...Or you can sell the Polits to me and avoid all the drama.  RegalBlue has too many fish already.

(Just kidding, Blair.)

Mike Z.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Regalblue on January 18, 2013, 05:44:24 PM
...Or you can sell the Polits to me and avoid all the drama.  RegalBlue has too many fish already.

(Just kidding, Blair.)

Mike Z.
Lol
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 06:15:33 PM
I did not know they were in such high demand - they are at both the fish stores I have been to in Grand Rapids, although those were smaller ones. I have been on the fence whether or not I should sell them, I hope I don't regret it. Is crummy having only one 65 gallon tank...
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 18, 2013, 06:39:56 PM
Is crummy having only one 65 gallon tank...

LOL, I see more tanks in your future Sarah  ;)

Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: danielratti on January 18, 2013, 08:37:25 PM
Yeah more tanks. And if your husband has a problem with it tell him that's cock-a-doodle to bad.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: Regalblue on January 18, 2013, 08:45:04 PM
Yeah more tanks. And if your husband has a problem with it tell him that's cock-a-doodle to bad.
Lol

Polit aren't necessarily in high demand, for me. I'm just diversifying my stock & don't like buying small fish.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 08:55:31 PM
Our house is only a 1000 square foot ranch plus basement so probably nothing bigger than the 65 gallon for now. If I can find a nice cabinet stand, I might set up the 40 gallon long I have been holding onto for five years now. I'm also good at filling up the basement with my home business and chickens. Had to move the chickens outside yesterday finally to make more room. Plus 4/5 are roosters and starting to crow right under out bedroom. Not sure what I was thinking hatching chicks in October still.  ;D Anyway, polit & ndumbi have a new home now. Down to just the seven little saulosi and two kribensis in the cichlid department so I have room for more.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: danielratti on January 18, 2013, 09:04:03 PM
Thats plenty of space. I have close to 450 gallons in a 988 sq ft house. Build the chickens a barn of there own and then bam basement full of tanks. Sure it may be expensive but if you do it right you could make some money back even.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 18, 2013, 09:57:55 PM
Oh the chickens have a cottage with flower boxes already haha. I try to treat my pets well. Working with getting quality birds for showing now. It helps remind me to close their door at night so no raccoon eats a chicken that cost me $80.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: danielratti on January 18, 2013, 10:04:15 PM
Yeah I had Brahma's, Cochin's, and Sumatra's. My neighbor's dog actually killed a lot of my Brahma's because they are so big and slow they cannot get away to well. That kinda got me out of chickens.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: djlamonica on January 18, 2013, 11:17:00 PM
you still planing on bringing those polits to the auction? I have a group of four I need to add to.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on January 19, 2013, 07:27:46 AM
Nope, they were bought last night, sorry!
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: djlamonica on March 03, 2013, 08:34:49 AM
I know this is an older thread but just an fyi all of my sub Dom polits have white beaks never seen them lip locking I think it may just be part of there coloring.
Title: Re: Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?
Post by: scifisarah on March 03, 2013, 10:21:18 AM
These ones were solid brown at first. The gentlemen ended up taking the red top ndumbi and polits, despite my suggesting that they may still not get along in a larger tank. Hopefully everything worked out with them once they had more space.