There can be a couple issues. a 5" fish in a 20g tank is the main problem. Most likely, the behavior is due to poor water quality, ie: elevated levels of ammonia, nitrites or nitrates...or all three. ;p
1: Take a cup of your aquarium water to your local fish shop and get it tested. (its free almost everywhere). Ask for the actual number levels for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, ph, kh.
2: How often do you do water changes and how large?
3: What do you feed and how often?
4: Find out what species of cichlid it is. Post a picture if you could, or opst any descriptive charactaristics. (mouth shape, general body shape, fin colors, color patter, mouth shape, etc etc) |