Sounds like ammonia poisoning. Is this a new aquarium(within 3months) How big is tank ? How many fish? If this a new tank do a 25% water change and double dose with a water treatment that removes Chlorine, Chloramine and Ammonia. "Prime" by seachem is the most economical. More info will help diagnose sickness.pH, Ammonia tests etc.Also, what other fish where kept with them?

What kind of Cichlids are we talking about here?

I have no idea what kind they are... the blessings of getting them at walmart. The one I was telling you about has since died. He wasn't looking very good so I wasn't expecting him to live. I've had the tank for a while now... 20 gallons btw... but I think I'm going to get one of those chem. tester things you can get at the pet store and test the ammnonia levels... thanks

Ariana

If they where in a tank that said "Asst. Cichlids" then they are probably African rift lake malawi-mnuba. Usually that is what walmart sells. Other possibilities are Oscars and Angelfish that walmart sells.I'd guess that they are the africans though. A 20 gal would evntually be to small. A test kit is the way to go. Get the reagent type as pposed to strip tests (inaccurate especially multi-test type).I prefer the "master test set" from 'aquarium pharmaceuticals'. Good price at drsfostersmith.com. Africans do best in high pH and KH. If you are interested I found the below site very informative.

Here is a link that might be useful: cichlid forum

thanks sooooo much for the help.

This is a very good one also

Here is a link that might be useful: european site

I've learned from my mistakes, don't wait until a fish gets sick, have a designated "sick tank" and stock up on general medications that cover every possible disease they might have. It's also good to have a good source, a reliable source to call at a moment's notice and believe me, that's not always easy, a guy/gal, can't remember which, gave me very bad medication advice that killed my fish instead of healing it.

Know the signs, read up on your type of fish and be prepared.

Good luck!

Flo

It's mbuna (not "mnuba"), in case you want to research it.