CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

i got two fish just laying on there side just sitting there every once in a awhile the still swim around and are active and one have any bright ideas

Need to know more like what kind of fish? Many fish play dead (sulk) , my clown loaches and Oscars do all the time. After that we need tank size and water conditions. Decor can some times be the trigger, too much stuff for some fish and not enough for others.  Get back with more info and you can get a much better answer then this but for now its a start.
James

well its a Oscar and a Texas they been friends forever in a fifty five gallon

Any other symptoms?  What are your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings?

all normal i just had it checked

Don't know about the Texas but my Oscar sulks any time I change anything he doesn't approve of and cant fix himself (large rocks etc) have you done anything like that? 
How big are they? Could be they feel crowded but wont fight as they have been together so long, I had an Oscar that just layed on the bottom of the tank she was in when she  decided she was cramped (55 with Oscar, female con and female firemouth) but showed no aggression at all just sulked , Moved her to a bigger tank and after a couple of days of sulking about the move was back to her old self.

"All normal" is a response that always worries me a little.  In the absence of specific measurements it's hard for us to give you much in the way of useful advice.  One of the things I will suggest is that you invest in some water testing gear.  Get the liquid kind.  It's a cheap way to get an instant snapshot of what's going on in your tank.  Your ammonia and nitrite levels should measure zero ppm (parts per thousand).  Nitrates should be below 40 ppm.

Any sign of parasites on your fish? Little white spots, perhaps?  If your fish continue to act listless, try about a 40% water change, and see if that helps.  Water conditions are the primary concern with keeping fish in general, and big cichlids in particular.  What kind of filtration are you using?  How much water do you change, and how often?

James' reply about tank space is also pertinent.  Both Texas' and Oscars are big fish that produce a big bioload, and with cichlids adequate territory is always likely to be an issue.

thanks guys for your help i get my water tested at the shop i pick up my fish and she has been doing for her own for sixteen years so i kinda trust her but ill go out and buy a kit i do appriciat you advice thanks agian