AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish. Please do not ask me questions about why your goldfish are sick -- they are almost always sick due to the way that they are sold). Also, please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen
eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. Thanks.
Experience I teach at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Organizations belong to American Cichlid Association, Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, etc
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Expert: Ron Coleman Date: 6/8/2008 Subject: red devil
Question QUESTION: We just recently brought a Red Devil home he was doing very well for about 7 days, then he started to turn pail. I Put aquarium salt in the take as directed 1 tablespoon per 5 gals seem to perk up then started acting the same again may be you can tell me what I doing wrong, we have the temp to to 76 degree. and I checked the PH everything I can think of is good. But I'm not the expert.
ANSWER: Hi Connie,
There is no reason to add salt for a red devil. I can't see that that will do him any good.
Are there other fish in the tank? What are you feeding him?
How large is he? What size tank is it?
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: there are no other fish in the tank, tank size is 30 gal fish is 7" long, salt was added to improve gill function and provide essential electrolytes fresh water fish need, to maintain a natural balance.
Answer Hi Connie,
For a totally freshwater fish like a red devil, salt hurts their gill function. There is no salt where they come from (the lakes and rivers of Nicaragua and Costa Rica) and they have to fight it if it is put in the water. I've spent almost twenty years studying fish in those waters.
I would never put salt in a tank for a red devil.
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
