Sick Cichlid and High Nitrate

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mr. Coleman,
(This is a "double question" for you as I emailed you
hrough your website as well, but hadn't heard back from you yet.)

I have a 2 part question for you, but first, here is some background info:

I have a 30 (or maybe 32-38) gallon tank with my 4 African Cichlids in
it. I have had the tank since December, and I try so hard to take
SUPER good care of it by changing about 20% of the water once a week
and testing the water as much as possible. The PH level is in between
8 and 8.2, the Ammonia levels are prefect, as is the Nitrite. I have a
70 gallon Aquaclear filter, and many rocks as well as 2 medium size plants
and
one small one that sits on one of the rocks. I always put some water
conditioner in when I change water. The water temperature is 79-80 degrees.
I do NOT have an airpump or air rocks or anything (i think i should get one).

I have a Zebra Red, 1 beautiful blue fish (I think he is an electric
blue johanni), another blue fish with a dark blue head and a reddish body (he
is a much "taller" and more slender shape) and lastly, a little blue
fish who looks kind of like this:
http://www.african-cichlid.com/TropheopsT.htm
He is much smaller than the other guys. I also USED to have an
electric yellow (i think that is what it's called) and a nice White one
with yellow and red coloring and black vertical stripes. Those 2
unfortunately died a few months ago, I think my CRAZY Zebra red beat
them up too much.

Sorry for all that background info, but maybe it will help with my questions:

1. My little blue guy is NOT doing very well at all, and I feel so
bad. He hasn't eaten for about 5 FULL days now, and he just hides
behind some rocks. The worst part is that that is exactly what
happened to my striped fish before he died. He stopped eating, and
then would do this weird thing with his mouth where he would open it
really wide a few times like he was trying to get something out and
then stop. I think he is on his last legs (or fins) and I am so
depressed cause he my favorite little underdog. I tried to buy him a
divider for the tank, but I think it made him worse as maybe it
stopped some of the water from flowing through he little holes, so I
removed it. His fins look FINE and he has no visible disease like
white fuzz or anything like that. Is there anything I can do to help him? He
just hides most of the time although as soon as I turned off the light he swam
around the tank for about 10 minutes and then returned to hide.
If the worst happens and I can't save him anymore, is there something I
should
know for next time? I thought maybe he was stressed out from being so
much smaller, so I bought a lot more rocks for him to hide in but I
think it was all too late. Please let me know what could be wrong with
him.

2. This second question MAY be related: I can NOT get my nitrAte
levels down!!!!! It seems like they are constantly off the charts. I
am doing regular water changes and the test always comes back at the
max. I even bought something that you put in the filter instead of
carbon that is supposed to lower it (Nitra-zorb), but to no avail. What can I
do?????

All my other fish seem fine, except the blue one and the orange one
seem to beating up on the blue/red one a lot these days. If I can get
the nitrates down I will buy maybe 2 more fish to split up the
aggression a bit.

Sorry for such a long question, I just love these fish and I am
worried (and I feel guilty that the little one may die if it's my
fault somehow).

I appreciate your reply and all the work you do on your website and
answering people's questions.

Best regards,

Jason
ANSWER: Hi Jason,
 It sounds like the little guy is just being dominated by the other fish.  Putting in the extra rocks and things is the way to go.  There really isn't much else you can do for him if you want to keep him in that tank.

 The nitrate problem could be at the source.  Have you tested your tap water to see if it is high in nitrate to begin with. In certain parts of the country, e.g., in parts of the Central Valley of California, the nitrates in the incoming water are very high to begin with (lots of fertilizer runoff).

  If that is not the case, then could it be that you are overfeeding and food is rotting in the tank? That will put a ton of nitrates in the water.   

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your prompt reply Ron,

I do have an urgent question for a follow up: My little blue fish is still alive
although he never moves out of his little are behind a piece of driftwood, and
he still hasn't eaten for well over a week. I honestly don't know how he is still
alive. I think his color is fading too, but I can barely see him back there.

Now I am freaking out because it appears that my two bigger blue fish have
some white on the tips of their mouths. Maybe it is just paranoia, but I am
sure it is there. They are acting normal but still fighting a lot. Could it be
wounds from lip-locking (which I haven't personally witnessed between these
two) or is it "ICH"???????

Could my little blue fish be making the other guys sick? I would be devastated
if lost them all!!!!!

What can I do? Should I remove the little blue guy even though he is still alive
so as to save the others, or is there a good medication I can put in the tank?

Please let me know, I can't belive I get so worried about these little fish, but
hey, what can I say.

Thanks again Mr. Coleman, I look forward to your reply!!!

Best regards,

Jason

Answer
Hi Jason,
 White on the lips is almost certainly the result of lip-lock fighting and is perfectly normal.  It won't be ick if it is on the lips.

 The little guy might not be thriving but he might be doing okay.  Fish don't actually need a whole lot of food to survive on.  Give him time.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>