does fish stress increase ammonia levels

[quengmel]

hi all,

well, the title speaks for itself. i've got 5 severums and 2 datnoids, all juveniles. they are all in a 55 gal tank with 2 internal filters. water params were fine till about the beginning of this week when i noticed a slight increase in ammo levels. did the obviouse, course of action, water changes almost every other day to keep the ammo at bay. reduced feeding as well to once a day.
what bogs me is the amoo levels.....they go from 0.25 to 1.0...couldn't figure out why, but last night i noticed that two of the severums were pairing up. they've occupied a big wood decor and stayed inside. typical of cichlids, they were defending their turf from the other 3 severums, not so much from the datnoids. i believe this is a start of a breeding pair and the start of aggression from the pair as well. i noticed the severums were stressed out frrom being chased all the time.
if stress does contribute to ammo levels, then i believe i've found out the source of my problem. i think i should seperate them now, which was my intention at the first place when a pair forms form the group.
what yah think guys?

[simoma]

I believe there is a relationship between cortisol levels (stress hormone) and ammonia excretion in fish. However, I would be surpised that the amounts were that high, and that your filter did not cope. Is it possible that you have a filter problem?

[quengmel]

i was thinking bout that first, filter problem. that's why i'm also in a look out for an ext filter, it's just the timing though. you know, with xmas coming, just dont have the budget for an ext filter right now. but that's in the pipeline. but i think for now, the best way is to move the other 3 sevs to a diff tank.