Popeye? Help!!!

jamesgear111 · May 22, 2022

I have had these fish for about a year, a regular damsel fish (pictured) 2 clowns, and a domino damsel, I got home tonight and noticed the damsel had a HUGE bulging eye. I did some research and I know it’s Popeye. I have no idea how to treat. My water is clean and I do water changed weekly. Help me please!!!!

blaxsun · May 22, 2022

#fishmedic

Squidward · May 22, 2022

My Scribbled Angel has it too. My lfs recommended Marycn 2. I'm starting treatment tomorrow. I had a coral beauty had popeye before but it healed on its own. This Angel however hasn't healed unfortunately.

Jay Hemdal · May 22, 2022

jamesgear111 said:
I have had these fish for about a year, a regular damsel fish (pictured) 2 clowns, and a domino damsel, I got home tonight and noticed the damsel had a HUGE bulging eye. I did some research and I know it’s Popeye. I have no idea how to treat. My water is clean and I do water changed weekly. Help me please!!!!

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

When only one eye is involved, the presumption is that it was caused by an injury of some sort. Maracyn 1 (erythromycin) in a treatment tank is the best treatment. Some of these issues get better on their own with no treatment, but this looks pretty severe.

Jay

MnFish1 · May 22, 2022

Just FYI - here is a nice article on the differences between Maracyn (1) and Maracyn 2: https://aquariumfishcity.com/fritz-maracyn-vs-maracyn-2/

lagatbezan · May 22, 2022

I have had success treating popeye with a combination of erythromycin and kanaplex. Must be done in a qt.

jamesgear111 · May 22, 2022

Jay Hemdal said:
Welcome to Reef2Reef!

When only one eye is involved, the presumption is that it was caused by an injury of some sort. Maracyn 1 (erythromycin) in a treatment tank is the best treatment. Some of these issues get better on their own with no treatment, but this looks pretty severe.

Jay

What do I do if I don’t have a treatment tank?

Jay Hemdal · May 22, 2022

jamesgear111 said:
What do I do if I don’t have a treatment tank?

You really shouldn’t dose antibiotics except in a treatment tank. Your only course would be to just observe it. There are tonics you could add, but the reality is they are just snake oil and the fish will still get better or not, despite having used them.
Jay