Cichlid
First step for any sick fish: test the water
Most cichlid illnesses start with stress, and the most common stress is water quality. Before reaching for medicine, test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH, and do a water change if anything is off. Many problems improve with clean water alone.
The problems keepers see most
| Problem | Signs | Common first steps |
|---|---|---|
| Ich (white spot) | Salt grain white spots, flashing, clamped fins | Raise temperature gradually if the fish tolerate it and use an ich treatment. Treat the whole tank. |
| Malawi bloat | Swollen belly, hiding, not eating, stringy white feces | Most common in mbuna. Isolate, fix diet and water. Ask an experienced keeper or vet quickly; it moves fast. |
| Hole in the head (HLLE) | Pits on the head and along the lateral line | Linked to poor water, high nitrate and diet. Improve water changes and food variety. Common in oscars and discus. |
| Fin rot | Ragged, fraying or white edged fins | Usually water quality or fin nipping. Clean water and remove the bully. Use treatment if it spreads. |
| Fungus | Cotton like white tufts on wounds | Often follows injury. Clean water and an antifungal treatment. |
Not medical advice: diagnoses can be tricky. When in doubt, ask in Answers or contact an aquatic vet. Always follow the medicine label, and remove carbon from the filter while treating.
Prevention beats treatment
- Quarantine every new fish for about 2 to 4 weeks.
- Keep nitrate low with regular water changes.
- Feed the right diet for the species and do not overfeed.
- Give enough space and hiding spots to keep aggression and stress down.
Frequently asked questions
What causes ich in cichlids?
Ich is a parasite that often shows up after stress, temperature swings or adding new fish without quarantine.
Is hole in the head disease curable?
Often it improves when water quality and diet improve. Severe cases need treatment and an experienced keeper or aquatic vet.
Should I use aquarium salt?
Salt can help with some problems, but many keepers use it carefully and only for specific treatments. It does not replace water changes.
What you will need
- Quarantine tank kitA small tank, sponge filter and heater for new or sick fish.Check price on Amazon
- Liquid test kitCheck water before anything else.Check price on Amazon
- Ich treatmentKeep one on the shelf.Check price on Amazon
- Spare heaterFor quarantine and emergencies.Check price on Amazon
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