dying cichlids

Question
We have a 56 gallon tank set-up for cichlids with around 15 small to medium size fish. Everything running fine until yesterday when came down to one dead and two very sluggish on bottom of tank, seem to be gasping for air. No markings on them or any warning of this please help !

Answer
Hi Dawn,
 Unfortunately, it is very hard for me to diagnose what is wrong without seeing the tank. Even then it is tricky.  My suggestion is to make sure that you are doing your regular 25% weekly water change. Be absolutely sure that there are no dead bodies hiding in the tank -- that more than anything can foul the water and rapidly lead to more deaths.  

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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