My cichlid isnt himself

Question
QUESTION: My cichlid used to rule the tank and now he stopped eating and barely does
anything.  I have not changed anything recently.  He is about a year old.  What is
his problem? He has no signs of ick or fungus or hole in the head.

ANSWER: Hi Stephanie,
 What kind of cichlid is he?  Also, are there larger fish in the tank that might be beating him up?

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm not real sure what exact kind he is.  He is mostly blueish purple with vertical
bands and yellowish tinted fins.  An African mix of sorts.  He is the biggest fish
in the tank.  I have not seen any fighting.  I'm scared because he's not eating!

Answer
Hi Stephanie,
 Hmm... by any chance does he have a swollen mouth, i.e., does it look like he has something in his mouth and occasionally he "mumbles" by sort of churning it around in there?

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>