Starving fish

[Managuy]

Have had a pair of Managuense for about 6 years. Have fed them a varied diet along the way but most recently fed them NLS. I ran out about a month ago and the LFS that sold it went out of business. Since then I have tried to feed them Tetra cichlid sticks and Hikari cichlid gold. They go after the food, put it in their mouth then spit it back out. They are getting ghastly thin.
I just got back from the pet store and picked up some red worms. They are putting them in their mouth, making a chewing motion but it seems like they are not able to swallow them. You can see them grind a little with their jaws then spit it back out. They just keep continuing this cycle. I checked the water parameters and it is ok. What am I missing?

 

[Camshaft Ramrod]

You could try some garlic soaking. That might help. How long have they been doing this?
I'm sure they are getting a little to eat. If not they will get hungry eventually. Keep an eye on
their stomachs.

 

[Lupin]

How do their poo look?

 

[Managuy]

This has been going on for about a month or so. They are very emaciated looking and I can not remember noticing when either one pooed last. At least enough to notice the color.
As far as eating eventually I keep thinking the same thing but they just won't eat. It's a very frustrating situation.

 

[Lupin]

I think this calls for treatments. Find flubendazole or levamisole hydrochloride.

 

[Managuy]

Ok, i'll try the treatment route. Does it sound like they have a parasite or infection. I did check them again this morning and the male did have a strand of yellow-green poop hanging. First time in a while I have noticed that. They are currently in a 210 gal. Should I move them into something smaller? I have a 45 and 90 at my disposal if needed but I don't want to stress them out either.

 

[Lupin]

Keep them in the 45g and treat with levamisole hydrochloride.

 

[Managuy]

Thank you. I will try that.