sick african cichlid

Question
Hi I'm hoping you can help me our little momma has fallen sick, she is a Lombardi (blue with black stripes african cichlid) tonight her whole body has puffed up including her eyes. We keep her in a 5ft tank with 4 other africans, all other fish seem to be healthy & happy nothing has changed as we've had the same 5 fish for years and have become quite attatched to them I hope you can help to save her kind regards Donna

Answer
Hi Donna,
I believe that your little momma fish has dropsy.  What causes Dropsy?  I don't think anyone knows for sure.  Diet, and clean water play a role in this disease.
It is an internal bacterial disease that attacks the liver, and  internal organs.  Some say it is contagious, and some say it isn't.  I believe that it is.  I would isolate the fish, and feed it high protein foods that have vitamins.  I would wait a little while to see if her condition improves.  If not, then I would try to treat her with a good antibiotic such as Gentamycin.  Make sure that the water conditions in her hospital tank are perfect.  This disease is hard to cure, and most of the time is fatal...but some have cured Dropsy this way when caught in time.  It is worth a try.
In your main tank, do a good water change, and check your ammonia, nitrates, and PH.  
Prevention is good diet, and clean water.  Feeding your fish high protein food, making sure they are getting vitamins goes a long way in preventing many diseases including Dropsy.  Water changes every week are very important.  When your water is free from ammonia, nitrates, and you have the right PH, this helps in preventing disease.
Hopes this helps, and that your little momma will pull through.
Lynda