Texas Cichlid acting strangely

Question
QUESTION: I have a 4 or 5 year old medium sized Texas cichlid who currently resides in a tank far too small for her.  It's a 20 gallon long tank, but at the moment I don't have the money to buy a larger tank.  It's never bothered her because she grew up in this tank.  She is ALWAYS aggressive and there are no other fish in her tank.  I keep the tank clean,   I run an aqua clear (20-40gal volume) filter, and a large air stone with a high volume of bubbles always going through.  Her water PH is roughly 7.3, the temperature is usually around 82*F but I unplugged the heater earlier tonight because it has condensation in it (my home temperature is around 72*F, so I'm not worried about her dying from the cold without a heater).  
Usually she's calm until I feed her, then she chases me around the tank and "attacks" through the glass.  She's usually always hungry. However, for the past three days she hasn't wanted to eat, her colors have gotten a bit dark, and up until today she was lethargic.  I thought perhaps it had to do with her laying eggs (she just started in the last 2 months to lay eggs and I haven't gotten that behavior pattern down yet).  I no longer think that's the case, because she didn't dig out any pit to lay them in like usual.  Then this afternoon she started thrashing about the tank banging into the lid and knocking everything about.  She'd calm down then randomly do it all over again swimming in fast circles.  When keeping discus I read that fish often act erratic when they have fungal infections, so tonight I did a 75% water change, cleaned the filter (taking the activated carbon out as well), and put the proper dosage of Rid-Ich in there because it's the only medication I have at my disposal that says it treats fungal problems (as well as others).  I also put in some aquarium salt.  She seems to have calmed down a lot since then, she's only swam around the tank quickly once and has been pretty calm for about the last hour.
Her eyes are not cloudy, the only thing I noticed is what may be a slight increase in body slime but I'm not positive about that.  
Do you think she could have a fungal infection?  What do you think is causing this behavior?

Also, I'm not sure if this is significant, but I recently moved a 29 gallon tank into my room with a small Jack Dempsey in it.  I moved this tank into my room about 2 weeks ago and both the Texas Cichlid and the Dempsey can clearly see each other.  Could the other fishes presence agitate my Texas Cichlid?

 Thank you very much for your time!
   Kira

ANSWER: Hi Kira,

I'm very sorry for the slow response. I was very busy over the last couple of days.

It's not very likely that your Cichlid has a fungal infection. Fungal infections are mostly visible from the outside, as cottony-growths of yellowish/grayish color.

Keep using the aquarium salt, as that seems to help her.
If she's scratching herself among rocks, it's most likely a parasite. In that case, the Ich treatment should cover that. If you don't notice any visible signs, other than the lessening of  body color, it may be just the fact that she's stressed. Keep doing some 20% water changes every couple of days.

I think that, with the salt and the current medication, she should recover in a week or two (if she doesn't have an infection, etc.)

If she doesn't get better, then I'd try an anti-bacterial medication, such as Maracyn.

The Jack Dempsey Cichlid shouldn't be causing her much trouble, but if you suspect that the female is agitated because of the Dempsey, then try covering the side of the tank where the fish see each other with a dark towel. Then, monitor the female to see if her behavior changes.

Remember to feed her a variety of live/frozen/freeze-dried foods to bring out her best colors, and optimal health!

Good Luck, and I hope she recovers!

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

QUESTION: Thank you Nathan.  Your response was still very timely!  I will definitely follow your advice.  One more question, regarding her not eating.  I put a few concentrated garlic drops in her tank to help stimulate her appetite and she still refuses to eat.  Her old owner used to give her feeder goldfish. I only do this once in a great while because of their lack of nutrition, but I was wondering if you think putting a few feeder fish in there might get her to eat?  Because she is neglecting any kind of flake or pellet food I put in.  I have frozen beef heart cubes as well, do you think that might get her attention instead?

 Thanks again!
   Kira

ANSWER: Hi Kira,

You could try the occasional feeder goldfish, but only feed those once or twice a week, since there's always the chance of a disease problem, since feeder goldfish are raised in terrible conditions.

I'd go with the beef heart first. See if your Cichlid eats that, and if not, then your only other option would be to give her the goldfish.

Another option would be to buy some frozen foods from your local fish store. These are probably more appealing to your fish. These frozen foods are a better option than feeder fish.

Good Luck, and I hope your Cichlid eats soon!

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

QUESTION: Thanks again Nathan.  I think it's possible to narrow down what's wrong with her now.  Her erratic behavior has ceased with the rid-ich, however she's still not eating.  I tried the prepared beef heart from the fish store but she didn't touch it.  She must have nibbled on one of the garlic soaked pellets in the tank or something though, because she had clear cased fecal matter attached to her yesterday with a green yellow substance inside.  I thought it would be important to mention because it may help indicate what is wrong with her.  Isn't that a sign of an internal bacterial infection?  Should I still try the feeder goldfish?  Or start a different medication regiment? If so, which medication do you recommend?

Thank you very much for your help again!
 Kira

Answer
Hi Kira,

Since she's not eating, yes, I'd try one or two feeder goldfish. It seems that it's the only other option. However, if her stomach does not look thin, it's quite possible that she might be eating parts of the food you set into her tank.

Just to let you know, though, another supplemental food option would be to feed some washed earthworms to her. Texas Cichlids should accept these. If you can't find some in your garden, you can find them at your local fishing tackle store.

Try feeding the feeders/earthworms, and see if she accepts them. Since she isn't exhibiting any irregular behavior any more, I wouldn't treat her with a new medication.

The poop's color may be caused by a combination of the garlic and the medication. Some medications can turn a fish's poop into yellow/greenish colors. It may not be a sign of disease. Let me know if it continues after the Ich treatment.

I hope your fish recovers!