sick electric yellow lab cichlid?

Question
QUESTION: There is a very distinctive spot on the anal fin and no where else. Ever since this spot has appeared (2 weeks) that fish hasn't eaten one bite. The fish always comes up to feed with the rest of the crew but doesn't. No other fish has any spots and no one ever misses a meal. We have tested the water and everything is fine. The community lives in a 150 gallon (tall) tank which is going to changed this Saturday (2-16-08) because I am concerned about that fish. Please help - thanks so much

ANSWER: Debra:

If possible  you should separate your sick fish from the community tank.  Change the water as you would during regular tank maintenance but DO NOT change all of the water as you will upset the tanks balance of chemicals and bacteria.  Some cichlids, as they grow older develop spots on their anal fin.  If this is the case your fish is probably a male.  If you can email me a better description of what the spot looks like that might help... to determine what the spot actually is.  What color is the spot? How large is the spot? does it seem to grow?   How large is your cichlid?  How long have you had him?  Please let me know the answers to these questions and I will do my best to help you.  Dave

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

QUESTION: The spot is gold - hasn't grown - fish is only about 2" and thin - I thinks the "big" cichlid tortures him and he has developed a complex. I have three electric yellow lab cichlids. Two are approximately the same size and one is twice the size of the other two. The other cichlid (that approximately the same size as the other has turned a much lighter color because that big cichlid torments them and that lighter cichlid is allowed to eat where as when the one with spot comes to eat that big one has a fit. I am going to remove the big one and see what happens. I think this am the one with the spot ate ever so little. Thanks much - looking forward to your input

Answer
Debra: definitely separate them.  Cichlids will kill each other over territorial issues.  The two that are the same size may be ok over time with each other if there are lots of places for them to hide.  Cichlids for the most part love to build nests by digging into the gravel and they can be a bit disruptive to the planted aquarium.  For general advice to people who keep cichlids I find that a deep gravel or sand base is best (4 inches)for cichlids. You can section off the tank with blocks to create deeper digging pits for them and leave a space that is free of plants and decorations for them to swim in.  Most cichlids will build a lair and stay there... they will defend their lair to the death if it comes to that.  In a tank that has enough room several cichlids can live happy lives but always remember that cichlids rarely do anything halfway... with them it is either life or death.  The amazing thing about cichlids is their parental behavior.  They care for their young like a very dedicated human would care for its children. They will give them baths, keep them in groups and they will ward off other predators. Cichlids have been known to attack and kill fish much larger then they are to defend their homes and their children.  These are my favorite fish in the world but owning them comes with the responsibility of understanding their behaviors. If you have other questions about cichlids or just in general please let me know... Dave... and keep me updated on your sick/stressed fish's condition...