Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => Old World => Topic started by: bmarine on June 22, 2015, 10:58:37 AM

Title: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: bmarine on June 22, 2015, 10:58:37 AM

In my 125 Peacock and hap tank, all the fish are acting healthy, but they just seem to have sunken stomachs. This isnt normal for healthy cichlids is it? And if they are sick, what is a decently cheap but effective way to treat them?

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: lilscoots on June 22, 2015, 09:04:21 PM

I've got a couple of mylochromis with the same issue.  From another forum, they said to it could be nematodes - (worms)  and linked to a post with a couple of treatments...I was going to try levamisole as prescribed in this site http://www.loaches.com/Members/shari2/levamisole-hydrochloride-1 (http://www.loaches.com/Members/shari2/levamisole-hydrochloride-1)  I just have to get to TSC to get the wormer.

Post from Cichlid-forum discussing treatments http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=356689 (http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=356689)

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: Ron on June 23, 2015, 07:09:12 AM

I've seen this a few times. In some cases, feeding the fish a little more often can help fill them out. If I had to choose between slightly skinny fish and fat fish, I'd choose the slightly skinny over the obese every time as I think it's the healthier of the two.

Worms is another possibility and using a wormer carefully wouldn't hurt IMO. I've used this one before:
http://www.thomaslabs.com/products/622-fish-bendazole-powder-fenbendazole-wormer-250mg.aspx

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: bmarine on June 23, 2015, 01:33:22 PM

Sounds good. I fed them some flakes today, and the others ate it, but the mylochromis grabbed at it, but then spit it out, i'm going to try pellets again tomorrow to see if he'll eat that, but if not, probably best to try a medication? Would Prazipro be a good medication to try?

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: Larry Johnson on July 17, 2015, 05:55:08 PM

I would not say these fish are skinny! Fish in the wild are more prone to be looking like this in my experience.
IMO flakes are a waste with fish this size, they should be fed pellets of a 1.5-2 mm size.
If you are trying to put some weight on them try feeding them twice a day maybe 3 times a week, other than the normal once a day.
From what I see now the fish DO NOT need to be treated!
BUT, Prazipro would be the way to go as far as treatment, but check out a few sites for sickness and cures, as in some cases if not treated properly the problem would re-occur.

Cheers,Larry

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: Kulasik on November 24, 2015, 10:50:56 AM

What is that last fish, it is a great looking fish

I want!

Colin

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: jcunningham0295 on November 24, 2015, 11:01:39 AM

Quote from: Kulasik on November 24, 2015, 10:50:56 AM

What is that last fish, it is a great looking fish

I want!

Colin

Mylochromis ericotaenia.  I have been looking for a group of these myself.

Title: Re: Slightly sunken stomachs...healthy?
Post by: danielratti on November 24, 2015, 12:46:38 PM

I'm trying to get mine to breed some more.