fish acting funny

Question
I have a 100 gallon tank and in contains 2 sm red devils and 2 sm jack dempseys with about 25 gold fish. They seem to be all at the top like their sucking for air. They have been doing it since i added the feeder fish. What's going on?

Answer
Hi Shalee

It's tough to say. Check your parameters ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels. Also add a couple of large airstones as there may have been a reduction in oxygen levels in your tank.

Perform about a 30% water change which should be done weekly. Also change the carbon cartridge in your filter.

You shouldn't feed your Cichlids with feeder fish. I do, but my feeder fish are tank raised at my house, not store bought. They are also small tropical fish like Zebra Danios, Guppies etc. Store bought feeder fish usually carry diseases and can be harmful to your fish. Any type of feeder fish should not be the primary diet.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard