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I have one of these guys in my tank, and up until about a day ago it was fine, swimming around and being very active. However, now it spends much of its time lying on the bottom or swimming half-heartedly at the top. Any ideas on what is wrong with it?

Hi and welcome to FP

To give you any advice the following information is needed?

What are the water parameters? ie. ammonia,nitrie...? Do you have test kits?

IS the tank cycled? and how long has it been setup? If you need more info on what is "cycling" or other questions on water parameters, setup and etc. please refer to the FAQ on this site.

How big is the tank and what are the tank mates?

How long has he been in the tank?

He is breathing quite rapidly? Are his gills inflammabled? Does he look bloated? Any more information about appearance and activity would be beneficial. Please list differences from now when he is sick and before when he is healthy.

Most of the time this could sound like a internal bacteria problem and I would treat promplty, BUT WITHOUT any more information this would be only a GUESS. Water parameters are very much needed and the other questions answered to given a better estimate.
I would reccomend to move the sick to a hospital tank if you have one. If not and if you suspect a water quality problem preform a water change from 30-40 percent using water conditioner to treat both chlorine and chloramine. Make sure new water is the same tempature as tank water. Also increase aeration.

If you lack test kits I would reccomend going to reputable Fish Store and get a water test. This is usually done free. You can also talk about medications to use. Even if the fish dies I would still test water. See if the store has a return policy.

The tank is cycled and has been set up for over a year now. I did a water change yesterday afternoon because I saw some white growth on the gravel on the bottom of the tank and some of the other decorations...it kind of looked like fuzz, so I vacuumed out the tank and got most of it out. However, I noticed more of it again today when I found the fish dead.

I don't know the water conditions, but I have some angelfish, a tiger loach and a pleco in there now. I'm wondering if those weird white growths have anything to do with it, I have never seen those before.