[Atari1972]

I have started a 30gal tank that I got for Christmas and have 7 small cichlids and 1 pleco...I'm sure I'll have to upgrade at some point but everyone seems to be getting along well. I seemed to be having a real problem with ammonia but then last week everything seemed to clear up...ammonia is zero...traces of nitrites and ph is ~7.8(LFS insisted I didn't need to raise it to 8.2) So now that the biological filter has kicked in I noticed yesterday that one of my Red Zebras looks like its fins were chewed a bit and even some white looking cuts on its side and it doesn't seem to be eating and my other zebra seems to have a lesser case of this. I don't think this is an attack though because they are definitely the bullys of the tank and everyone has played nicely so far. It really seems to coincide with a change in chemistry but a change for the better. Is this something called "tail rot" or Ick? From reading this forum I'm not sure I should try to add chemical medication or what kind I would add and I don't trust my local fish store for good info. I know I'm in over my head but am deeply committed to learning about the ins and outs of a successful tank. Any help would be tremendously appreciated.

[Bob]

The only medication I would add at this point is MelaFix since you are not sure exactly what's going on. This product will at least inhibit bacterial and fungal growth.
This does sound like aggression, even though these are the "bullies" of the tank. They may be picking on each other since the tank can have only one top bully. Watch them closely and see if they chase each other.
As to the pH, 7.8 is fine. but if you want to increase the pH (and alkalinity) a bu\it more, add a few pieces of Feller Stone Utah ice rock. It's calcium carbonate and will dissolve slowly.

Frank M. Greco

[Atari1972]

Thanks for the info...with another day to watch what's going on it's definitely aggression. Seems to have been between the 2 Red Zebras and the Kenji and from what little I can see of the Kenji he is really banged up. The Zebras are doing much better already and are eating again. Will more hiding places help reduce the aggression? I do see some chasing but it seems friendly (no contact) like a game of tag and I see everybody chasing equally...doesn't seem like it's one way and they all share the hiding spaces. I know there are no guarantees for compatibility but are there some reasonable guidelines so I can avoid obvious mistakes? Thanks again for the help.