Sick Firemouth Chiclid

[kmk]

I have had my tank setup for about 2 months, and in the time everything has gone ok.

However, about a week ago I noticed my Firemouth started staying in the very corner of the tank away from everyone. Then I noticed that his one eye was very buggy. I thought maybe it was Popeye, but it was only on one eye.

Then yesterday his eye flattened out, but puss seems to be coming out of it.

Any ides on what this could be?

P.S. He is eating fine and swimming all the time. The Jack Dempsey keeps him in the corner though, so anytime he moves there is some fighting.

[RazorBlade]

kmk,

Not much info you've given, and the photo is too 'blur' for us to see anything.

If it's pop-eye, there SHOULD NOT be any 'puss' coming out of it. Oh, and Pop Eye CAN affect only one eye (and not necessarily both eyes).

As for the problem with your firemouth ... firemouth are 'all show' and 'no go' types, that is, they are not that aggressive for a CA/SA. Most likely your Jack Dempsey is keeping the poor guy 'in one corner' due to it's aggressiveness & territorial behavior.

The firemouth is most likely stressed out, and that could be the reason for the pop-eye and stuff.

[kmk]

Originally Posted by RazorBlade

kmk,

Not much info you've given, and the photo is too 'blur' for us to see anything.

If it's pop-eye, there SHOULD NOT be any 'puss' coming out of it. Oh, and Pop Eye CAN affect only one eye (and not necessarily both eyes).

As for the problem with your firemouth ... firemouth are 'all show' and 'no go' types, that is, they are not that aggressive for a CA/SA. Most likely your Jack Dempsey is keeping the poor guy 'in one corner' due to it's aggressiveness & territorial behavior.

The firemouth is most likely stressed out, and that could be the reason for the pop-eye and stuff.

I didn't know all that!

And I'm sorry for the lack of information. It is just I never had a fish with any problem similiar to this. What other info should I include?

I've also mostly owned community fish, and this tank is the first I have had with aggressive types. I was also told by the place I purchased him from that he was ok with the Jack Dempsey and Tiger Oscar as long as he had his own cave. Yet it seems regardless of that he is always picked on by both. The oscar messing with him is confusing because I thought they only went after fish that they could fit in their mouth?

Update, whatever it is, that "puss" has turned a red color now! Yet he still is in a great mood.

I am going to try and get a very clear pic, but it seems very hard with my current digital cam.

[RazorBlade]

Hi kmk,

I suggest you read up a bit more on CA/SA cichlids. Try cichlid-forum.

As to fish mix and more help, I suggest leaving it to ppl more experienced with these large cichlids (hint to sifu's: "Why don't u guys make a post please?").

Happy fishkeeping!