Weird twitching

**Eric_marchi** · 03-23-2008, 02:25 AM

I have notice with my cichlid that he has been sleeping most of the day and i found that to be kinda wierd. well when he was awake i watched him and he waas doing these sideways swim twitches. i found his movements to be very wierd and wanted to know what might be wrong so i can research it on the internet. i checked my water conditions today and they are perfect. there is no amonia or that other toxic one nitrite or whatever its called. the temp is 81 degrees. my tank is a 45 gal. with a power head running and a hob filter and a secondary marineland c-220 canister filter. the fish that is doing this is a malawi cichlid but dont know what kind because when i bought it it was just called assorted. he is very big about 7 or 8 inches and pretty fat. he has a mouth like Jean Chretian thats why i bought him but didnt think nothing about whether he was sick or not. and i have 2 other malawis about 4 inches very small. please help

**OscarFan** · 03-23-2008, 02:27 AM

He is claiming his territory. many cichlids wil pick a spot and guard. and to tell other cichlids it is theirs they will shake or vibrate the water.

**sailor** · 03-23-2008, 02:28 AM

Have you recently done a water change. Mine do that sometimes every once in a while after a water change. If so this is normal.
If he wants to breed they will do this also.

**OscarFan** · 03-23-2008, 02:29 AM

And what colors are the other ones

**sailor** · 03-23-2008, 02:35 AM

This is not related to the issue but I would drop the temp to 77 - 78. Easier for them to breath in the cooler water

**Eric_marchi** · 03-23-2008, 02:47 AM

i got lots of oxygen flowing through the tank and i was told that 81 is a perfect temp for them. as for the fat twitchy fish hes got blue on him and the others is yelllow and the other one is a blue peacock

**Eric_marchi** · 03-23-2008, 03:57 PM

ok again he is sleeping in the clay pot. why isnt he active. im really worried.

**sailor** · 03-23-2008, 04:07 PM

Some fish stake out a territory and stay there. If there is good water flow there he won't have to swim much to get water through his gills. I have frontosa that have caves etc where they stay most of the day.