Sick Fish?

[sesmith1]

I recently bought a Red Parrot Cichlid for my classroom.  I have had a fish like this in my home for about 2 years and have never had a problem.  The fish I bought for my room, however, has had a few issues.  When I first brought him in I think he was afraid of the kids...75 kids staring at you can be overwhelming.  Recently though, he has been turning from an orange to almost red color. He developed white spots on his lips and tail.  At first I thought the spots were more like the air bubbles you would see on the side of the tank, but I am starting to doubt this. He has also been acting very oddly.  He will swim for about 30 seconds and will then stop and not move for many minutes.  At one point he was even leaning sideways against the wall of my tank. However...as the day goes on he seems to get better and when my kids are gone be seems to be fine again.  In fact, he is swimming contentedly around my tank right now.  I'm not sure if the kids are too much, if there is a pH problem, or what.  Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.  

 

[Ninjouzata]

Hiya, 

to TFF! Sorry something like this has brought you here, hopefully someone can help.
 
More information would be useful..
 
1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc)
2. A full description of the fishes symptoms.
3. How often you do water changes and how much.
4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water.
5. What tank mates are in the tank.
6. Tank size.
7. Finally Have you recently added any new fish?
 
 Also did you cycle the tank? If so, how did you go about doing this?

 

[sesmith1]

I don't have any way to measure the chemical levels in the tank.  I just added the tank about a month ago, so I haven't cycled the water yet.  I have a filter in the tank and I added pH balance when I first set up the tank.  The fish is alone in a 10 gallon tank.  Everything that I have looked up on the fish says it will attack most other fish.  Can't have that in a classroom.  

 

[Meeresstille]

Do you have a heater on the tank? If not, maybe he feels better at the end of the day because the temperature is then higher than in the morning.

 

[Ninjouzata]

When did you purchase him and what is your water change schedule like? These fish need something like a 55g+ so the tank is too small longterm.
 
I imagine the ammonia & nitrite caused by the tank not being cycled is why it's acting this way. I recommend picking up a liquid test kit ASAP.
 
I'd also recommend returning it to the LFS and fishless cycling the tank by following THIS article, and after that is done purchasing a fish that is more suitable.
 
Would also throw out the pH balance as there is no need to use it. The pH uppers & downers just cause it to fluctuate and stress out the fish.
Most fish can adapt to your pH, especially if they're bought locally. The only time you really need to mess with it is if you're keeping a particular sensitive specie or trying to breed.