cichlid eye bleeding

Question
QUESTION: I have a large red devil who has popeye. am treating with salt and Jungle Fungus Clear. Did second Fungus Clear app today and he hit his eye and it started bleeding. Will it stop by its self. What else can I do to help him he is 11 years old and has been very healthy the whole time. His water was perfect when this all started 5 days ago.

ANSWER: Hi Janis,
 I'm sorry to hear about your red devil. The eye will stop bleeding on its own eventually. Personally, I would not use the salt but the fungus treatment might be helpful in dealing with secondary infections. The good news is that red devils are really tough fish so hopefully he will be able to heal from this.

-- Ron C.
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what is wrong with salt? He is not getting better. Anything else I can do?

ANSWER: Hi Janis,
  The problem with salt is that there is no reason to use it on a fish like a red devil.  What can it possibly do other than irritate the affected tissue?  

  You said that the water was "perfect" prior to the popeye.  I assume that that means that you were doing weekly 25% partial water changes?

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes I was doing the water changes and when I saw the first sign of something wrong I tested everything and all was as it has been for years. I was told the salt would help with fungus, infections, gill function and electrolytes. Should I change some water to lessen the salt? What do you use for fungus, or bacterial infections and how do you tell the difference. He has little blisters around his eye edge and is hanging in the corner upside down I truly love this fish and would do anything to help him. Thanks for all of your time in answering me.

Answer
Hi Janis,
  Unfortunately that sounds very bad.  For fungus I use a product called Paragon II.  I don't see how salt would help gill function, in fact, exactly the opposite -- salt would hinder gill function in a freshwater fish.  

  Yes, I would do some more water changes.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>