Cichlid Acting Strangely

[discocat85]

Please help!
I have had this Red Zebra African Cichlid for about 2 years. Suddenly, yesterday, he started acting very strangely.
He has been hiding in his cave, shivering, shaking, and leaning on his side. He is also breathing really hard. He will not eat nor swim out of the cave.
I am not sure why this is happening. Up to this point, everything has been normal. He is very healthy. His colors have not dimmed.
Recently it has been getting colder at night, and his tank temperature has dropped. But I have turned on his heater and have it at his normal temperature 75f.
Can anyone help me? Is his heater bothering him? Should I try a different kind?

 

[Lateral Line]

Found this on mod queue in the fish index. Moved.

 

[Ferris]

Can you tell us the size of the tank and any tankmates he/she may have?

Also have you tested your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

The shaking/shivering you describe sounds like typical cichlid aggression or mating behaviour. Is it possible that he/she may be guarding eggs or fry? Thats certainly what it sounds like unless of course there are no other fish in the tank.

 

[discocat85]

Can you tell us the size of the tank and any tankmates he/she may have?

Also have you tested your water for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

The shaking/shivering you describe sounds like typical cichlid aggression or mating behaviour. Is it possible that he/she may be guarding eggs or fry? Thats certainly what it sounds like unless of course there are no other fish in the tank.

He is alone in his tank. I have observed him doing the mating thing when there were others in the tank, and I know it's not that.

He starts acting like this only when I plug in the heater. Strange huh?

Maybe the heater is making a noise?

 

[Ferris]

75 is a little low, should be more like 78 although if the tank temp has always been 75 it shouldn't be a problem.

Have you tested the water? sounds like a possible ammonia or nitrate spike could be affecting him.

 

[jollysue]

Is the thermometer working properly--not shorting?