JELLYBEAN CICHLID

Question
Hello, I have a 37 gallon tank with a variety of fish. I have had a "jellybean" cichlid for about 3 years now. Raised him from when he was just a quarter size. Anyway, he's about 3.50 inches now and was happy as can be, until a few weeks ago, when i took out some of my overgrown parrots and gave them to my parents who have a bigger tank. Shortly after, I found him sitting on the bottom of the tank. He just sits in the protection of one of my rocks and doesn't do much. He does try to swim and struggles. When its feeding time, he will swim out and grab some food, but the moment he stops "trying" to get to the top he will sink right down to the bottom.

It seems very difficult for him to swim, and the moment he stops his effort he is on the bottom of the tank. I have noticed a "dent" or curvature to his back end. Not sure what this is or if there is something I can do for him.

I am happy that I have removed my big cichlids from the tank or there is no way he would still be alive. I am fine with leaving him stay alive and live on the bottom of the tank, but I just feel sorry for him.

Anything I can do? Tested the water and everything looks great. Put milafix in the tank for a week to see if that would help. The local pet store doesn't have any answers for me.

Answer
Hi Paul,
 Hmm... that is really hard to say.  It could be an age related thing. It could also be a swim-bladder problem, though swim-bladder problems typically result in the opposite effect, namely the fish floating and not being able to sink.  Unfortunately I do not know of anything that you can do for him.  Sorry.

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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