blue cichlid

Question
I have a blue cichlid and today is has started swimmin in a vertical position. With its head poionting towards the bottom of the tank. Can u give me any advice on maybe what is wrong, or anthing i can do to help. I really dont want my fish to die as it belonged to my partner that died 2 yrs ago and i am desperate to keep it alive. please help me.

Answer
Hello,
It could be many things.  Check your water for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.  Ammonia is the number one killer of fish, so make sure your chemistry is right.  Ammonia should be zero, nitrites safe, and nitrates safe.  If this is an African Cichlid, make sure is PH is around 8.0.  
Do a water change if his water chemistry is not right.  Do water changes everyday until the chemistry of the water is perfect.
It could also be lack of oxygen.  Your filter should be splashing water into the tank, making water movement.
If these are rules out, it could be Swim Bladder Disease.  This disease is caused by poor diet which leads to constipation, and if left unnoticed will lead to SBD.  If his tummy is swollen, and he either stays at the bottom or the top, as trouble swimming, it could be that this is what is wrong with him.  Feed him cooked frozen peas with the top layer removed.  Feed him peas according to his size.  He must waste.  If he does not waste after trying the peas, try an antibiotic such as Kanamycin, furan 2, or tetracycline.
He could also have a viral disease.  If this is the case, make sure his water is very clean, free of ammonia, and feed him healthy foods.  The only way to really cure a virus is to find out what virus this is.  Unfortunately, only special equipment could tell us what virus it could be.
Watch him closely.  Look to see if he has clamped fins.  Is his skin changing colour?  Do you see white spots like salt on the fish?  Do you see patch of greyish white uplifted spots on him?  Does he have a dusting yellowish golden powder on his skin?  Are his eyes swollen?  We must observe the fish, to find out what he really has.  Sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint the disease.  It could be internal.
Check all of these things, and write back to me with all the details you can, so I can try to help you more.
Lynda