I also agree this is most likely related to water quality. You need to do regular water changes. If you have gravel you need vacuum the gravel on a weekly basis. Check your water quality and do a large water change. I am also surprised that you haven't had any problems in 4 1/2 years. The only thing I can think of is because it is a decent sized tank and an adult Red Devil is real hardy.
Big Problems Important! Please any advice could save him!
- Thread starter Temperance
- Start date
Everyone is well meaning, but everyone missed the point that this is a cut and dry case of a serious bacterial infection. If you want your fish to live, you are going to have to forget all the hocus pokus that is regurgitated on all the web sites.
1. DO NOT raise the temperature of the water. This seems backwards, but bacteria will multiply exponentially faster at higher temperatures. Your fish can fight lower bacteria levels at a lower temperature much better than high levels at a high temperature.
2. Pour your Melafix down the sink and go buy enough Lifeguard All-In-One to treat the tank. It is expensive, but it is the only medication that works well without pushing your fish over the edge. It is the only thing that will save your fish at this point. Bacterial infections in fish are like one person in a room having the flu. Since one fish has it bad, the others are likely fighting it too.
3. You have done more than enough water changes for now. For every water change, you are going to stress your fish. That is the last thing he needs right now. When he gets his strength back, then you can get on a regular water change program. Large water changes for even a healthy fish can be fatal.
4. Forget salt for now. It will do absolutely nothing for a bacterial infection. At this point, salt will only act as an irritant and a stressor. Salt is a good preventative against parasites and a good tonic for healthy fish, but now is not the time to start your tank on salt.
1. DO NOT raise the temperature of the water. This seems backwards, but bacteria will multiply exponentially faster at higher temperatures. Your fish can fight lower bacteria levels at a lower temperature much better than high levels at a high temperature.
2. Pour your Melafix down the sink and go buy enough Lifeguard All-In-One to treat the tank. It is expensive, but it is the only medication that works well without pushing your fish over the edge. It is the only thing that will save your fish at this point. Bacterial infections in fish are like one person in a room having the flu. Since one fish has it bad, the others are likely fighting it too.
3. You have done more than enough water changes for now. For every water change, you are going to stress your fish. That is the last thing he needs right now. When he gets his strength back, then you can get on a regular water change program. Large water changes for even a healthy fish can be fatal.
4. Forget salt for now. It will do absolutely nothing for a bacterial infection. At this point, salt will only act as an irritant and a stressor. Salt is a good preventative against parasites and a good tonic for healthy fish, but now is not the time to start your tank on salt.
Its all too late last night I lost him but thanks for your help I may as well keep treating the placo just in case it is like a flu
Sorry for your loss 
I lost a moray this morning too (a jumper).
I thought you had other red devils in there too. Plecos are made of steel, so I am sure he will be fine. Continue with the Melafix as planned and don't worry about the All-in-One. Good luck.
I lost a moray this morning too (a jumper). I thought you had other red devils in there too. Plecos are made of steel, so I am sure he will be fine. Continue with the Melafix as planned and don't worry about the All-in-One. Good luck.
