CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

I am fairly new to aquariums but i fell in love with cichlids at first sight. i am currently treating for ich using the salt method and praying i dont screw anything up. i have noticed that on my africans that they look dirty, i noticed this in a couple of pet stores and i was wondering if they were sick and/or if there was something that o could do. i know fish loss is virtually inevitable especially those new to this, but i will be heart broken if any die. can someone please help me??