Should I be worried about this + Better in larger tank?

[scifisarah]

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?

[African cichlid Keeper]

i use Melafix for my cichlids. it works great.

[Regalblue]

Any pictures? 

[scifisarah]

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?

[Super Turtleman]

That looks like normal lip locking behavior to me.

[Ron]

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.

[scifisarah]

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.

[Regalblue]

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.

[Stan M.]

how many per bag?

[scifisarah]

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.

[scifisarah]

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?

[Regalblue]

I wouldn't mix Ps. with Fronts.  Mbuna are alot more active.

[scifisarah]

Thanks, I will let him know that and see what he thinks.

[danielratti]

I have a red top in with a 7 stripe front. Eventually if it fits in there mouth its done for.

[Ron]

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.