Poorly Cupid Cichlid

Angel's, Discus, Oscars, Rams, Malawi etc.
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Stephen
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I have two pairs of Cupid cichlids (Biotodoma cupido).
The one pair that took over the far right-hand corner are by far the strongest pair, the other pair reside in the far left-hand corner.
One of the strongest pair is the biggest of all the Cupid cichlids and the most dominant one, it is also the one that creates spawning pits by removing sand (in the mouth) and spitting it out outside the pit area.
There has been some lip locking between the biggest cichlid and another from the less dominant pair, just normal stuff.

However; I have noticed a change in the biggest cichlid.
1. It is constantly a darker greenish colour (the other common name is Green-streak cichlid) but normally a golden, slightly greenish colour.
2. It's mouth is constantly partially open as if something is stuck inside.
3. It is now submissive to the other cichlid, it does not want to challenge, it tilts slightly to one side in a submissive way.

I have removed him/her (probably female) to the 120L aquarium just to give it a rest, but I'm not hopeful.
Catching it was so, so easy, it made no attempt to evade the net.
I have looked inside it's mouth but can not see any obstruction.
I strongly feel it will pass on within the next hour or so.

This has upset me and I hope it recovers but looking at the cichlid I do not think there is any hope.
The partner is looking for it and the other cichlid from the less dominant pair is now challenging the partner (stress markings and jaw locking).

If the cichlid does pass then I will likely re-home the other three and replace with 8 x juvenile Cupid cichlids and start the pairing process again. I will speak with the manager at my favourite LFS.

Stephen :(
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)

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Andys temperate tank
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What a shame.

I hope he pulls through Stephen.
64l kitchen tank: 16 golden tetra.
5ft 425L: 7 blue angel fish, 30 rummie nose tetra, 20 black neon tetra, 1 longfin bristlenose plec, 2 corydoras sterbai, 2 SAE.
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PaulVerrall
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Sorry to hear that Stephen, horrible situation to be in
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Stephen
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Thanks Andy & Paul

From the most dominant & strongest Cupid cichlid to the weakest in just 48 hours. :(

The others are looking through the glass of the 550L aquarium to the poorly cichlid in the 120L aquarium. Both aquariums are side by side.
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)

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Andys temperate tank
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Would a screen between the 2 not calm the poorly one if it cant see the others Stephen?
64l kitchen tank: 16 golden tetra.
5ft 425L: 7 blue angel fish, 30 rummie nose tetra, 20 black neon tetra, 1 longfin bristlenose plec, 2 corydoras sterbai, 2 SAE.
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Stephen
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Andys temperate tank wrote: Mon Oct 05, 2020 13:33 pm Would a screen between the 2 not calm the poorly one if it cant see the others Stephen?
Not really Andy.
The poor fish is leaning against the glass at 45 degrees (supported by the glass) and now struggling to breath.
If the glass wasn't there then it would be completely on it's side.
There is very little hope for the poor fish now.
Water parameters are all normal and all the other fish are fine.
425L SeaBray Elite aquarium - Rio Mamoré (Bolivia) theme
4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 13 x Cory sterbai 52 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)

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WinterRose73
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What a shame ☹️ sorry to read this.
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Andys temperate tank
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Stephen wrote: Mon Oct 05, 2020 13:49 pm
Andys temperate tank wrote: Mon Oct 05, 2020 13:33 pm Would a screen between the 2 not calm the poorly one if it cant see the others Stephen?
Not really Andy.
The poor fish is leaning against the glass at 45 degrees (supported by the glass) and now struggling to breath.
If the glass wasn't there then it would be completely on it's side.
There is very little hope for the poor fish now.
Water parameters are all normal and all the other fish are fine.
Sorry to read that Stephen.
64l kitchen tank: 16 golden tetra.
5ft 425L: 7 blue angel fish, 30 rummie nose tetra, 20 black neon tetra, 1 longfin bristlenose plec, 2 corydoras sterbai, 2 SAE.
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Sorry to hear :(
Small tank - 125L - 7 Corydoras sterbai, 2 Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
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Gingerlove05
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Thats sad to hear Stephen :(
Unfortunately cichlids do have their attitudes and they will have minor battles with others. The results can be injuries (such as damaged/dislocated jaws) or internal damage (I read somewhere they go for the body and this can damage swim bladders and other internal organs) and by the sound of it this time the big one has come off worse :(
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