Mass cichlid death

IronRyno

Medium Fish
Jun 28, 2005
90
0
6
St. Pete, FL
#1
Need some help please. I've always wanted to do an African cichlid tank. I like the zebra/mbuna variety. About 2 months ago, I had a peaceful community aquarium. Couple black widow tetras, one gourami, one Cory cat, two nice size plecos, a few barbs, etc. etc.

I added about 4 small zebra cichlids. No aggression, no problems. I knew eventually the cichlids would take care of the community fish, and I was ok with that. 2 weeks later, I add 4 more zebras. No community fish killed. Everything going great.

About 10 days ago, 2 months after adding the first African, I noticed 1 African dead. No apparent reason, just dead. He was perfectly fine the night before. Next day, another one. I have been losing African cichlids one per day until today the last one died. Community fish are fine. Never better.

Now I did notice that the last three to die did exhibit small signs of ich. Not covered head to toe, just a few spots. Nothing on the non-cichlids. As soon as I saw this I ramped the temp up to 88. Well that didn't help anything and the last cichlid died today.

I am returning the water to about 80 and going forward with my peaceful fish. I can't believe I lost all those African cichlids and not a single non cichlid died.

What happened? Please help me with suggestions if you can. I am At a loss.

Thanks.


90 gallon tank

Now down to about 6 fish
 

IronRyno

Medium Fish
Jun 28, 2005
90
0
6
St. Pete, FL
#3
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 180 +
Ph is probably really low

I have kept successful new world cichlid tanks and peaceful community tanks and my nitrate reading has always been high. I don't know why, but it's never seemed to bother any fish.

Strange that only the Africans would die.
 

Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#4
I've never heard of fish living with nitrate that high. No suggestions other than cleaner water.

pH may be an issue as Africans need a harder water than the other fish you mention keeping.
 

djm761

Large Fish
Mar 21, 2011
190
0
0
#6
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 180 +
Ph is probably really low

I have kept successful new world cichlid tanks and peaceful community tanks and my nitrate reading has always been high. I don't know why, but it's never seemed to bother any fish.

Strange that only the Africans would die.
:eek: :confused: