I would love to believe that you will never have to use this part of the forum, but let's be realistic and recognize the fact that we are keeping HIGHLY aggressive fish in an enclosed glass box, so we're going to have some problems. :unsure:

To save time in what may be an emergency situation, I thought it would be best to post a list of questions that I am more than likely going to ask in order to try and help you.

Of course, all these questions won't apply to every situation, but usually illness with cichlids stems from some stressor within the tank, so having all this information aids in keeping the tank healthy and happy.

I am not a huge stickler for water testing. I only test my tanks WHEN I have a problem. Sometimes, that is the best way to get to the bottom of things, though!

Here is the list: (You can copy and paste it into your post to make things easier!)

How long has the tank been set up?

If this is a relatively new set up, how did you cycle it?

What are the water parameters on the tank? (ph, ammonia, nitrate and nitrites will be sufficient)

What is your normal tank maintenance routine regarding water changes?

Are you using a good dechlorinator that removes both chlorine and chloramines?

What size tank is it, and what species are you keeping?

What symptoms are your fish showing? Are they eating? Lethargic? Loss of colour? Darkening in colour? Reclusive? (Make sure to add any other symptoms you've noted, along with a time frame as to when the symptoms started.)

Have you added any new fish to the tank recently in relation to your current problems?

Have you noticed any excessive aggression recently in the tank?

Do you have a hospital or quarantine tank?

If you have something really strange and unusual going on, posting a pic will be a great Help!