Tropheus: Out cast or sick?

[aggrofishkeeper]

I have large one kind of hanging out by himself at the end of the tank swimming up and down. When it was feeding time he ate, he has no white poo, he isn't puffy looking, he is not breathing heavily, he is not laying on the floor, he waves his fins when he swim and not just clamped. He grabs things that look like food....Like he jumps at it. And he digs the substrate from time to time. (Pick sand up with his mouth and spit it out)

Is he an out cast or is he sick? I am just freaked out right now, I've been feeding very lightly 3x a day with pellets soaked in a small dose of Metro for 2 minutes then poured in the tank. I'm thinking about picking up some Epson salt and doing a 25% water change.

The other fish are not bothering him, once in awhile one or 2 will come and push or nudge him and they swim away, and he just swims away and comes back to the same area.

[newb]

doesnt sound sick...maybe he is just claiming that side of the tank his? as long as he is eating and looks happy...then I would say he is fine

[myjohnson]

if he eats there is no problem.

[newb]

if he eats there is no problem.

dang Thai...me and you always on the box at late hours!

[Zulaab]

My thought is being he is big and new to the tank he has staked out his claim to a rock formation.. Someone has attempted to challenge him, but was shot down and without much of a fight he won. Its the same as my large male Kiku. There wasnt much of a fight. He was the biggest and in the cichlid world size matters... The smaller fish have already said "I am going to lose the fight if I pick one, therefore I better stay clear"

[geoff_tropheus]

It sometimes takes weeks for a colony to get organized.

This guy is on the edge of outcast most likely, or he is trying to establish that one end of the tank as his own.

Everything else you describe is perfectly normal Tropheus behavoir

[aggrofishkeeper]

Yes, he is rather large. Probably the biggest if not 2nd biggest...He just looks so alone. Swimming slowly up and down around the powerhead and once in awhile nudge the glass.


Aside from this scare, I've seen about 2 fights break out. When they do fight it looks very intense, looks like one is trying to take the other one's lips off...So far no "ganging up on" so I think it's going good.

[geoff_tropheus]

aw...the joys of Tropheus keeping....

[bethesdaboy]

Couple things.

1. Your feeding too much too soon.
2. They were in a 300g tank it will take some time for them to adjust to smaller environment.
3. Dont go dumping a ton of water this quick, let them settle.
3.5. NLS is the devil

[geoff_tropheus]

4. No need to medicate if there not a problem
4.5 NLS does not swell much at all, I doubt much if any meds are being absorbed

[ddaquaria]

[QUOTE=bethesdaboy;413850
3.5. NLS is the devil[/QUOTE]

[myjohnson]

I know right, We all see those empty NLS buckets at your house Mike.

[Zulaab]

Couple things.

3.5. NLS is the devil

Yeah Mike does not like NLS because he knows.. once his fish gets a hold of NLS they dont like going back.. NLS is like crack for fish :)

[aggrofishkeeper]

If I'm feeding 3x a day already should I stop?

The amount I'm feeding them each time is very small. Maybe enough pellets for 1 fish each only...If that..

[myjohnson]

are they eating? if yes....

how much you feeding them? measure in teaspoons please....

I wouldn't totally cut them off the food if they eattin. Mike had them for over a month and it's not like they coming right out the lake into your house. I would have personally gotten some flakes that Mike feeds his fishes.

They should be fine dude. Stop worrying and just enjoy your fishes.