floating red devil

Question
QUESTION: I have a large male red devil for about for days now he has floated on his side. he has a darker colour on the slde he floats on. he is still very alert. but not well i hopeu can help me..

ANSWER: Cherie:  change 30% of the water, clean your tank really good including the gravel... he may be suffering from ammonia or nitrate poisoning.  Also add oxygen to the water either by adding an airpump/air stone combo or increasing the filter action.  If you do all of this and he is still not well and swimming like he should be... then let me know and we will go from there... dave

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QUESTION: hi did not fix my red devils problem.he is still floating and the side he is on is a deferent colour. it seems a bit lumpy there. can you think of any thing else i can do..

Answer
Hi Cherie: Can you check your heater and make sure there is no water inside of it... Sometimes they can get hairline cracks and emit electrical currents.  I am going to suggest a round of tetracycline.  if he is still eating try to get the med that can go in his food... There are many things that can ail him from internal parasites to tumors or even fish TB.  Try the tetracycline and add aquarium salt to his tank... give him the med for 24 hours and then let me know what his condition is... Diagnosing fish is very difficult when you can not actually see and touch them... We have ruled out typical tank poisonings... have you had your water tested??? The next step is to treat him as though he has a disease but unfortunately his symptoms are odd and could mimic any number of disease.  The Tetracycline should help him... but keep me posted... dave