Desperate...please help

I will repeat are you cleaning the filters?

Two 20% water changes are much easier on the fish than one 50% one. This will help, incase the water parameters are fluctuating during a water change.

Why would you put in african cichlid subsrate if you dont have any african cichlids? Unless that one unidentifyed one is a african?

So far, all the fish you mentioned that you have like a lower pH, not a higher one. Although I dont think thats your problem, its just something to keep in mind... try and make the conditions in the tank suitable for your fish. I know you said its a "55 gallon african cichlid tank" but so far you have not mentioned any africans :p:

Are you re-arranging the rockwork/tank decor when you do water changes?

-Diana
 
I apologize for not answering your question.

I only know that it is an african psuedo (sp?) cichlid. I asked the LFS but they only knew that as well.

And when I do the wc I clean the sponge in the water I removed from the tank.
 
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