kenyi african cichlid

Question
QUESTION: ok so i must admit my tank is little crowded i have 9 medium-small sized chichid in a 30g right now planning to but them in a 55g but right now one kenyi has it tail appeared to be bitten off! he seems fine swimming little more timid with other fish but still interacts he is staying at the top off the tank now still eating thou... i used to be able to had feed him but now i cant hes to scared leading me to belive it has been bitten off and not the water i'm going to do test tomorrow because its to late today. other then that no fish seems to be picking on him so my question is what can i do to help him and how can i prevent that in the future?

ANSWER: Hi Braeden,
African Cichlids is always observation.  Either he was bitten by another fish, or he had fin, and tail rot.  If he has fin, and tail rot, this is due to poor water conditions.  You must make sure that your water has no ammonia, no nitrite, and that nitrates are low.  You must also make sure that your PH is around 8.0.  If your water chemistry is perfect, you must treat with Tetracycline.  This disease is catching.  Follow the directions on the package, and add 6 teaspoons of diluted aquarium salt.  Before treating your fish, make sure your water is free of ammonia, nitrites, and that nitrates are low.  It will not help if you treat them, and your water chemistry is off.  Goo water chemistry often heals fish if they are not to far advanced.  
With African Cichlids, you must change your decor often so that they do not get too comfortable with their surroundings.  Change it also every time you add a new fish.
Do 25% water changes every week without fail, this is very important, and add diluted aquarium salt accordingly.
Hope your Kenyi gets better.
Lynda

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QUESTION: ok so i have a couple of questions still what do you mean by 25% water change with out FAIL? and i tested my water and it is perfect except cabonate hardness? would that of cauesd it or what does that mean
p.s. the ch was high how can i fix that?

thanks
    braeden

ANSWER: Hi Braeden,
It is always best to do 25% water changes every week to prevent ammonia in your water. Ammonia is caused by waste, and uneaten food.  Always siphon from the bottom.  Ammonia builds up quickly in water, and it is the number one killer of fish.  It is better to prevent this from happening.
If you have checked your water for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, and the readings are fine, then there is nothing to worry about.
How high is your PH?  African Cichlids live in 7.8- 8.5 PH.  Is you PH higher than this?  If so, then there is something in your water which is causing the PH to be very high.  Things that bring up the PH are coral, coral sand, sea shells, and some rocks.  We must find out the cause.
I hope this helps.
Lynda

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QUESTION: my Ph is 8.1 theres is little to no ammonia or nitrates and nitrites the only thing is my cabonate hardness isnt that alkilinity? how can i bring  it down? well im honestly not sure if my ch test is working becuase everything else is perfect and aliklinaty deals with the ph and its good so... also the test just didnt seem to read properly so i dont think i should trust the test.

Answer
Hi!
Since you have African Cichlids you don't need to bring it down.  They thrive in Alkaline water.  8.1 is fine for them, so do not touch it, as long as it is stable.  Have your PH tested at your Pet Store to be sure.  Never use chemical to bring down the PH.  They do not work, and cause the PH to fluctuate which is very bad for fish.  There is no worry if your PH is 8.1. with African Cichlids.  The Kenyi for instance, must have a PH of 8.1-8.5, so your African fish will be okay.
Lynda