redcichlid
10-27-2011, 10:12 AM
I need an expert.
In my 55g tank I have had six 3-inch "Zebra Obliquidens" and six Telmatochromis Vittatus with shells and sand. All seemed harmonious. I bought six 3 inch OB Peacocks to add to the mix. I did not quarantine them as I should. The morning after I added the Peacocks to the tank I had to leave for a two-day trip. A neighbor was feeding the fish who had no experience with fish. My only caution to him when he came over was to look carefully for any dead fish and to take them out if he found any.
One of the Peacocks died the morning we left. My neighbor didn't notice the dead fish and it lay there fouling the tank for two days. I came home, immediately fished out the dead Peacock, saw the cloudy water and labored breathing of the rest and did a 90% water change. The rest of the Peacocks seemed relatively unfazed. The zebras were all clamped up and resting on the ground, seemingly near death.
Next day (since I saw little improvement), did an additional 50% water change and added a 1/4th cup of non-iodized Morton table salt. By the end of the day, I thought I started to see some improvement, but one of the Vittatus died and seemed to have a slimy coat around it as I pulled it out. I did another 50% water change without adding any more salt--just the chlorine remover. Lost two of the female Obliquidens but the others were starting to eat a little. Most of their time though was spent scratching and shaking madly, as if whatever parasite/infection they had was nearly killing them (as it did the others).
Then this morning. Lost another slime-coated Vittatus but I noticed the weirdest thing. On the glass of the tank, I could see what looked like miniature feather duster anemones/worms on the front of the tank. They are completely pale white with a "stem" as thin as a spider web. Their "feathers" don't seem to "grab" as a regular saltwater anemone would, but they are all over the glass. They also look like miniature tulips, but all white. The stalk or stem of each is only about 2 millimeters long with the top being about 2 or 3 millimeters wide.
Anyone had ANY experience with something like this? And another thing. The Peacocks were purchased out of a 300gl tub with sponge filters in the tub. A little help? Never seen anything like this.
In my 55g tank I have had six 3-inch "Zebra Obliquidens" and six Telmatochromis Vittatus with shells and sand. All seemed harmonious. I bought six 3 inch OB Peacocks to add to the mix. I did not quarantine them as I should. The morning after I added the Peacocks to the tank I had to leave for a two-day trip. A neighbor was feeding the fish who had no experience with fish. My only caution to him when he came over was to look carefully for any dead fish and to take them out if he found any.
One of the Peacocks died the morning we left. My neighbor didn't notice the dead fish and it lay there fouling the tank for two days. I came home, immediately fished out the dead Peacock, saw the cloudy water and labored breathing of the rest and did a 90% water change. The rest of the Peacocks seemed relatively unfazed. The zebras were all clamped up and resting on the ground, seemingly near death.
Next day (since I saw little improvement), did an additional 50% water change and added a 1/4th cup of non-iodized Morton table salt. By the end of the day, I thought I started to see some improvement, but one of the Vittatus died and seemed to have a slimy coat around it as I pulled it out. I did another 50% water change without adding any more salt--just the chlorine remover. Lost two of the female Obliquidens but the others were starting to eat a little. Most of their time though was spent scratching and shaking madly, as if whatever parasite/infection they had was nearly killing them (as it did the others).
Then this morning. Lost another slime-coated Vittatus but I noticed the weirdest thing. On the glass of the tank, I could see what looked like miniature feather duster anemones/worms on the front of the tank. They are completely pale white with a "stem" as thin as a spider web. Their "feathers" don't seem to "grab" as a regular saltwater anemone would, but they are all over the glass. They also look like miniature tulips, but all white. The stalk or stem of each is only about 2 millimeters long with the top being about 2 or 3 millimeters wide.
Anyone had ANY experience with something like this? And another thing. The Peacocks were purchased out of a 300gl tub with sponge filters in the tub. A little help? Never seen anything like this.