blackbelt cichlid acting strange

Question
Hi. I have a (I believe female)Blackbelt cichlid. I've had her for about 6 months in a 55 gallon tank with 2 africans. All has been well the whole time, but this morning I looked in the tank and she is acting very dispondant, not swimming around like usual, laying at odd angles (sideways, almost upside down) and also she usually gets very skittish if I put my face right up to the tank and now she's not doing anything. I tested the water and thats fine. I just vacuumed the tank yesterday. This just started today,but I'm worried about her. any advice?

Answer
Hi Katie,

Because you vacuumed the tank yesterday, it might have spiked an ammonia or nitrite fluctuation.

Do a 25% water change.  This may help the fish.

If using a canister filter, it's time to clean it.

Often, one species of fish can be more of a water issue indicator than others can.  One can go down, initially letting us know things are not okay, even if our water test kits say they are.

Anything above 10ppm Nitrates is harmful.

I hope this was helpful and professional, and answered in a friendly fashion for you. :)

Your question was in the question pool today. I know it's probably been quite awhile since you asked it, so I want to ask you not to hold it against me for the other expert's tardiness in responding.  It was just given to the rest of us today, so I picked your question as soon as it arrived. :)  Rate me appropriately, please, as I strive to give professional answers, in a timely fashion...and please don't blame me for the late response.  It wasn't asked of me, but of another expert, initially.

Happy fish-keeping!

Renee