Jack Dempsey swimming on his side

Question
My Jack Dempsey (I have had him for 7 years) is swimming on his side on the bottom of the aquarium. He does shoot to the top to eat...but then very quickly goes back to the bottom.  The temp of water is the same as last 7 years.  No change in food.  No change in postion.  Had regular water/filter changes.  Can this be old age?

Answer
Hi Denise,
 Sadly it sounds like your Jack Dempsey is getting very old. The symptom you describe is something I have seen many times in very old fish and unfortunately I have never seen a fish recover from it.  Sorry.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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