Bala Shark Popeye ?

[Steffyxx]

Hi guys just after a bit if advice really i bought a bala shark from my lfs today when i come home i realised he had a bulging eye the other one is fine , after reading up on it i think it is popeye but cant seem to find the best treatment for it any one got any ideas ? Do you think i would be better to take him back first thing and swap for another or try to treat him myself ? Hes in the main tank at the mo as i didnt notice the eye properly until id already released him will this spread to my other fish and do i need to treat the whole tank even if i do take him back ?

Sorry for all the questions but i just want to do my best for the lil fella

Tank stats are
Amonia 0
Nitrite0
Nitrate 50

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Single eye "popeye" is usually associated with the fish being attacked by tankmates, or the fish has caught its eye on tank furniture, or at least that is my understanding (whereas 2 eye "popeye" is a sign of bacterial infection).

Wait for more responses (as popeye is not a straight forward problem to cure as it has several causes), but I think 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salts per 15l of tank water (which will draw fluid out of the fish and give the wound a chance to heeal with less osmotic pressure) with an increased water change regime (to keep water cleaner and less chance of infection setting in) should help the fish recover.

 

[kcartwright856]

I'd also add Melafix to the above suggestions. This would help on both the bacterial and bullying fronts, if the cause isn't clear.

Either way, I'd quarantine the fish in question for treatment.

 

[Steffyxx]

Thanks for youre replys but the fish died a few hours after posting this doyou think i should treat my tank anyway he wasnt in there for long tbh maybe 8 hours max , really suprised that the place i bought it from hadnt noticed when they bagged him theyre uaually really good for healthy fish .

 

[kcartwright856]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I wouldn't personally treat the tank just yet, but keep a close eye.

 

[Steffyxx]

Thanks i think nobodyofthegoat is right it was more than likely a casr of bullying from one of the other 40+ sharks in the tank at the petstore my other fish are all acting normally and eating fine so fingers crossed !