Help fish won’t eat or move

[GrapeGuy]

I have a fire mouth cichlid who just sits at the bottom of the tank. This behavior has started recently with the other fish acting normal. When he does swim he looks like he has a lot of trouble staying afloat.
0 ammonia
0 nitrite
20 nitrate with water changes every three days.
Ph 8
It’s a community tank and I know they don’t belong in that type of tank but at the time of purchase I was not knowledgeable about the hobby. The cichlids however have been very peaceful to the other fish.

 

[GrapeGuy]

I have a fire mouth cichlid who just sits at the bottom of the tank. This behavior has started recently with the other fish acting normal. When he does swim he looks like he has a lot of trouble staying afloat.
0 ammonia
0 nitrite
20 nitrate with water changes every three days.
Ph 8
It’s a community tank and I know they don’t belong in that type of tank but at the time of purchase I was not knowledgeable about the hobby. The cichlids however have been very peaceful to the other fish.

He’s also laying on his side.

 

[kno4te]

I’d suggest separating or move to a qt tank for now. Dim lights and monitor. What does it’s poop look like? Last time it ate? Sunken in belly?

 

[darkness975]

I have a fire mouth cichlid who just sits at the bottom of the tank. This behavior has started recently with the other fish acting normal. When he does swim he looks like he has a lot of trouble staying afloat.
0 ammonia
0 nitrite
20 nitrate with water changes every three days.
Ph 8
It’s a community tank and I know they don’t belong in that type of tank but at the time of purchase I was not knowledgeable about the hobby. The cichlids however have been very peaceful to the other fish.

Pictures would help in case there are details that can be gleaned from them.

 

[GrapeGuy]

Pictures would help in case there are details that can be gleaned from them.
[/ do these photos help?

 

[darkness975]

View attachment 1411593

View attachment 1411594

When it does try to swim or move, what does it look like? Is it doing a corkscrew type motion? Or back side up?

 

[GrapeGuy]

When it does try to swim or move, what does it look like? Is it doing a corkscrew type motion? Or back side up?

I’d say corkscrew motion I think.

 

[darkness975]

I’d say corkscrew motion I think.

That's not good. It could be a number of things. Swim bladder issues, nerve damage, impaction, etc.