AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish. Please do not ask me questions about why your goldfish are sick -- they are almost always sick due to the way that they are sold). Also, please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen
eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. Thanks.
Experience I teach at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Organizations belong to American Cichlid Association, Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, etc
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Expert: Ron Coleman Date: 6/26/2008 Subject: ciclid
Question My ciclid has a bloated stomach and it is swimming upside down. I just noticed it this morning. What can I do I do not know what is wrong and I want to save it. My husband noticed some little white things on its belly don't know what they are. I want to know if what ever he has can harm my other fish? I want to be able to save it if at all possible I've had these fish for about 3 months but the person who gave it to me had it for 7 years. HELP ME PLEASE. One more thing, would you please tell me what kind of water is best for me to use?
Answer Hi Brenda,
Unfortunately once a cichlid is swimming upside down there is really nothing you can do for it. Sadly, I have never seen a cichlid recover from that state. Sorry.
As for the white things, that is very hard to say. My suggestion would be to remove that fish or there is a risk of infecting other fish.
"What kind of water": I am not sure what you mean by this. Do you have reasonable tap water or is your tap water very unhealthy?
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
