Overfed.... By a lot.

[Crude]

My first attempt using an auto fish feeder ended with me/it dumping a dangerous amount of food in to the tank. I tried to net some of it out, and followed with a gravel vac and water change. I know a lot got left behind, as I could see it swirling and gathering in caves, etc.

This morning, my fish are all stationary (look a lot like theyre sleeping). There's 2" long strings of poop everywhere. Some are hovering at the top and appear to be gasping for air, though not necessarily ever breaking the water's surface. Some (my labs, specifically) are angled while they float. The rest of the fish are hiding in their caves, resting on the bottom, or just floating near the bottom of the tank. All of the fish are breathing very heavily/rapidly.

I didn't have a chance to do a water test, but could ammonia have skyrocketed that fast? I repositioned one of my powerheads to increase surface agitation, and will do a test and waterchange tonight.

What do you guys think? I hope they're just gorged and enjoying a fish equivalent of passing out on the couch. They normally flock to the top corner of the tank as soon as I walk in the room. This morning, they just chilled there.

Thanks!

[Mandocruz06]

bloat thats might be it...happens alot wit trophs and petros but im sure it can happen with others due to much protien

[Crude]

Can the contract bloat overnight?

[rmalford]

We are talking cichlids, right? IMO I would immediately stop feeding and start treatment with epsom salt. 1tsp per 10 gallons and metro accordingly. Crank up the temperature to about 83F. Is the 2" poo clear and stringy?

[Warlock]

water change

[Crude]

Aye, Mbunas.

Poo is brown like normal... just excessive amounts of it

[mgarrido]

I would suggest a big water change and surface agitation ASAP.

[Crude]

I've got the massive surface agitation going on, but wont be able to do a WC til tomorrow.

Whats worse, is I'm heading out on vacation tomorrow afternoon, and will be gone for a week (hence the auto feeder)... and won't have anyway to monitor or maintain the tank ;(

[fishman1]

Don't worry fish can easily survive for a week without food just make sure to do a large water change before you leave.

[myjohnson]

Need some more info......

1) Size of tank?
2) Type of fish....all mbunas?
3) Number and size of fish?
4) Tank set up? (do you have a wet/dry).
5) What type of auto feeder is it?

I would do a water change today and tomorrow. Add salt too. Fish can go a week without eating. So don't worry about that.

If you have the eheim auto feeder, it should only be on click number two. Use take to tape it down (I'm assuming you feed NLS 1mm).

[Crude]

Size of tank: 90g.
Stock: All fish 1-3"
10 - Auratus
10 - Acei
4 - Red Zebra
4 - Yellow Lab
3 - Venestus
3 - Zebra "Chilumba"
2 - Syndontis of some sort
1 - Panaque
1 - Gold Nugget

Filtration: 1 - Fluval 405 w/ (Floss > Bio > Bio > Bio > Bio). And, 1 - Fluval 405 w/ (Carbon > Purigen > Bio > Bio).
(Also have two Evolution 750gph powerheads).

Auto feeder is the Eheim. In hindsight, I cant believe I didn't test the thing. After doing some try tests (emptying back in to the food container), I ended up at click 2, too.

Food is Cichlid Formula 1mm NLS.

Thanks for all your advice guys.

I don't plan on feeding during my vacation, and will do a water change when I get home. Hopefully its enough. I cant believe how lethargic they looked.

[Crude]

My tank smells terrrrible. In fact, despite being in a fairly large room, with the ceiling fan running, the whole room smells bad.

The fish, however, are looking just fine, and were begging for food when I came in the room.

I feel better. Thanks all!