HELP Please :)

My africans are breathing pretty heavy but dont know why! Ive tested the water and everything checks (Ammonia: 0 / Nirite: 0 / Nitrate: 20). Idk why they would breath so heavy but their not gasping for air.

Did you do a water change recently? Remember to use the dechlorinator? Is the filter running properly? Any chance some type of contaminant came into contact with the water?

Are they breathing hard and still swimming around or are they breathing hard and sitting mostly on the bottom? What do you feed them?

I did WC last night and yes my filter is fully functional. They are breathing heavy and still swimming. Im feeding them pellets forgot the name

Whats your tank temp at? I noticed my Africans breathing heavy before when I had a temperature spike to over 85! Do you have powerheads or air stones running for water circulation? It's good that they aren't sitting on the bottom, that would be bad. Also, make sure you soak your pellets in a cup of tank water before feeding to avoid bloat, when your Africans eat pellets that you dump into your tank the pellets will expand in their stomach and make it difficult for them to digest, which can lead to bloat.

One more thing, assuming that you're using an API test kit, when you run your nitrate test are you letting the test take the whole 5 minutes to complete before taking a reading? If the tube is turning red right after adding the drops then your nitrates are most likely much higher than 20

Yeah I waited exactly 5 min after dropping both in. Had timer on

20 is still pretty high but not likely the cause. how much surface agitation do you have?

what do you mean by how much surface agitation do i have? Do you mean chasing and bullying? If so, not much more than a regular african cichlids tanks.

Surface agitation would be like the splash of your filter return or an airstone releasing bubbles; something disturbing the water's surface. That's why I asked if your filter was working properly. I had a filter fail once and all of the fish were breathing heavily until I got it running again and did a large water change as well.

Oh okay yeah no disturbing on the water surface at all. I'm running a fx5 which looks like it's releasing perfectly fine and the intake looks like it's doing its job. I'm also running 2 other smaller HOB filter

Try lowering your water level so that there is a little bit of splashing or add an airstone temporarily. You want to have some surface agitation to see if that helps the fish stop the labored breathing. The agitation is needed for gas exchange.

Okay will lower the water lvl and keep you guys updated. Thanks so much you guys for giving me your input!

Yes 20 is kind of high for nitrates but I'd be more concerned if you had a spike in nitrite or ammonia, you probably want to do another WC in a couple days and try to get your nitrates under 10 though. You also never mentioned what your pH is at and if that has fluctuated at all since your WC, do you add buffer? You can also add some cichlid salt, that should help them breath a little easier.

Yes I do add buffer in after every water change. If I remember correctly it should be 8 or slightly higher.

Yeah that's right about where it should be...just watch close for the next couple days and do what Betty said to create some surface agitation, bassetman could be right that could be your problem...also, go and buy some cichlid salt crystals tomorrow if you don't already have some, they are cheap and it won't hurt to add them to your tank

yeah thanks will do I just saw your post congratulation on the pull for salt water haha You should sell me some of your peacock or haps from your malawi. I would love some

haha thanks, I've had my smaller reef tank up and running for about 3 years, but it's time for an upgrade to a big reef ....I have an electric blue that I might sell, but I love my OB's too much to not put them in my friends tank (he will also be my roommate so I will get to see them everyday lol), but if he ends up setting up his tank with something else then who knows, maybe a lucky fishbox member will end up with some stunning OBs

Good luck with your fish, keep us posted

Haha okay will do! You should make us a process thread on the reef tank! I always wanted one but I know I would break the bank knowing me haha I would go crazy

Yeah I was planning on doing a thread full of pics showing the whole process of the new build, yeah reefs can get pricey but they are so awesome!

Never heard back about your Africans, everything back to normal?

Still monitoring it was going to wait for tomorrow to keep you guys updated but things has slow down a lot since I added a air pump

Things have slow down a lot! Only 2-4 fish is still breathing a little heavy but wasn't at heavy at first. Thanks guys for the input ill keep you guys updated again in another couple days. Again thanks a whole bunch

Good to hear! ...now get those nitrates down

Okay I just want to give you guys the final update on it. Everything is back down to normal and every fish of mine is doing great once I finish scaping the tank ill make a video for you guys thanks so much for all of you that helped