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I have had a 20 gallon cichlid tank for around 1.5 years. I originally had 3 fish and two died. I found them marked up red and bluish patches and gulping air. Later they were dead and all fins were chewed off. (This is my first tank. I was worried that the tank wasn't right chemically- I have been testing more closely.- so I left just one healthy fish to see what happened before getting more) I decided to get a new fish and add to tank. He has been fine for a week. I noticed the original fish is very territorial and chases it around a lot. Now I am suspicious that he is killing it and had killed the other two. This fish has what appears to be bite marks on it and a cloudy eye. The chemistry is good, temp around 72-80(fluctuates despite replacing with better thomometer) and the PH is around 8.2

Am I just not careful enough or could the one healthy fish be killing the others? Now I am not sure how to treat him- i put him in a bowl with the water from the tank, put a spare thermometer in there to regulate temp and I am going to the fish store when it open to see about a small tank and a pump to setup a hospital tank. BTW- anything I should consider when setting up a hospital tank?
Any help would be appreciated- I really want this one to survive- its odd that the one original fish is so healthy.

it would help a great deal if you told what fish you have and size. there are many many kinds of cichlidfish

yah, as noangel sayd, the description of the tank inhabitants would be good..

I agree with what has been said we need more info about what is in the tank. Just from what you have said though your problem is the healthy fish... it may be a kind that will not tolerate other fish in its territory, but unfortunately with out knowing what it is it is impossible to say for sure

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Adam

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Actually, the tank is 10 gallons. The fish are not too old- around 1.5-2 inches. The one that lives is solid orange and the ones that have died were salmon colored, solid yellow, and the next to probably die is yellow with black tipped fins. They are all the same size and purchased from the same place.

I went to the store and got a divider to separate them, did a 20% water change and added tetracycline (as per directions) but the fish is now floating on his back.

If the problem is the aggressive fish I am not sure what to do. When I originally bought the 3 I was told the tank (10 gal) was big enough, now I am told its too small for even 2 fish of this size.

Is there anything to be done for a fish layin g on the bottom on his back? I would assume not.

fish float on their back when they die... I would flush it... Also whatever you were told at the fish store I would flush with the dead fish... most fish stores dont know what the hell they are talking about. 10 gallons is not big enough for about 98% of all cichlids sold in the hobby. The exceptions being dwarf cichlids and convicts... but that is about it. I would definately try and figure out what kind of fish you have, not all cichlids are the same or compatible, cichlids from south america can usually not coexist with african cichlids, many S. Amer cichlids will not tollerate other S. amer fish, and the same is true or africans. If you dont know what type of fish you are buying dont buy them, you cant know how to care for a fish that you cant even name. You should never have to ask the pet store employees anything because you should have done the research before you got there... unfortunately it sounds like it is too late for these fish but I strongly erge you to find out what the one that is still alive is... it is possible it is a red devil from your discription which means it will need a 55 gallon tank eventually.

I think you may have learned your first and most important lesson... pet stores lie to make a sale... they dont care what they tell you so long as they have your money in their hands.

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Adam

Come see my website!
Adam@cichlidfish.com
Got ?'s about HITH? Read this to learn more!