Severe PoP Eye

[aquablizz]

About a month ago I introduced a new fish to my display tank... It was a large, beautifully colored Pearlscale Butterfly fish..
I normally take 1-2 hrs. acclimating the fish buy leaving it in the bag container that we received from the store and slowly adding some of my display tank water while the bag is floating in my tank.

The second day I notice that one of his eyes seemed to be developing Popeye.. and sure enough the next day it was so bad that I was sure we were going to loose the fish.
It was absolutely the worst case of Popeye I have ever see with the eye protruding almost 3/8 of an inch and hanging down.. It was so nasty looking that the wife & kids wouldn't go near the tank as the sight made them feel sick.. I was nearly to the point of putting it down as I figured it would surely get worse and if there was some type of infection involved, I didn't want to contaminate the tank.

I decided to treat the tank with a product made by API called Melafix. This is an antibacterial made from the extract of Tea Trees. I only used 1/2 the recommended dose as to not create any major impact to the rest of my tank and system.

Long story short, within 2 days of the treatment I thought I noticed a change and saw the fish actually eat. I treated the tank again after 3 days and the eye definitely improved.. After the second treatment I just watch with amazement as the fish made a complete recovery within two week with no sign what so ever the initial problem.

Has anyone else ever seen results like this with a sever case of Popeye?? At this point I don't know if it was the treatment or if the illness just played it's self out.

blizz

 

[Empress]

I just love a happy ending.

 

[Humblefish]

Typically, "popeye" is caused by injury and usually heals on its own. Unless the wound gets infected.

I've had pretty good success using Epsom salt to make the swelling go down. But it doesn't surprise me that Melafix would have a positive impact as well. I've been testing it on minor injuries & infections with mostly positive results. For FW fish it is simply amazing. So, I am starting to believe it is one "natural remedy" which doesn't deserve to be called snake oil.

 

[Feet4Fish]

I think I have a very similar situation... Unilateral Popeye on my heniochus. Assume it is from some type damage. Thought it might resolve but this is 48 hours after I first noticed it. Fish acts perfectly normal and is eating great.

Think I should give melafix? Epsom salts? Can I dose the entire system (fish only) or should I hospitalize him?

 

[aquablizz]

for now I am sold on the Melafix.. It aint cheap but either are the fish... My butterfly's eye was worse than your heniochus and now it's perfect.. I would definitely give it a try.

Wish I had taken some pic's before and after but to be honest, I really didn't give him/her that much of a chance to survive..

Hope other chime in..

 

[Feet4Fish]

for now I am sold on the Melafix.. It aint cheap but either are the fish... My butterfly's eye was worse than your heniochus and now it's perfect.. I would definitely give it a try.

Wish I had taken some pic's before and after but to be honest, I really didn't give him/her that much of a chance to survive..

Hope other chime in..

I will pick some up tomorrow. You treated your whole system right?

 

[Humblefish]

Think I should give melafix? Epsom salts? Can I dose the entire system (fish only) or should I hospitalize him?

I personally would try Epsom salt first (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) and then move on to Melafix next if the popeye persists.

for now I am sold on the Melafix.. It aint cheap but either are the fish... My butterfly's eye was worse than your heniochus and now it's perfect.. I would definitely give it a try.

My only concern is I hope people won't think tea tree oil works on a serious gram negative bacterial infection such as Vibriosis or Aeromonas spp. For those you need to use a proper antibiotic, such as those found in Furan-2 & Kanaplex.

 

[Feet4Fish]

I personally would try Epsom salt first (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) and then move on to Melafix next if the popeye persists.



My only concern is I hope people won't think tea tree oil works on a serious gram negative bacterial infection such as Vibriosis or Aeromonas spp. For those you need to use a proper antibiotic, such as those found in Furan-2 & Kanaplex.

Would epsom salt be safe for the whole system?

 

[don74136]

My purple Pseudochromis and my blue Caribbean tang both had one popeye each due to them checking out and running into the beam of 4,000mW that I was using to kill several aiptasia. I thought I was going to have to euthanize them in order not to introduce an infection in my display tank. I used Melafix and Pimafix as directed and the popeyes were gone. I'm pretty sure that they are blind in those eyes but they seem to be just fine and still look great. Anyone want to buy a 4,000mW (4W) laser?

 

[Humblefish]

Would epsom salt be safe for the whole system?

IMO yes; as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate. Something you might dose in your reef tank anyway.

Based upon anecdotal evidence, Melafix appears to be "reef safe" as well. It will sometimes make your skimmer go nuts though.

 

[aquablizz]

I did dose the entire tank and saw no problem... As far as the Epsom salt, I have no experience with it but I'm sure it's a heck of a lot cheaper..

Blizz