Buldging eye

[tinfoilbarb1]

My red top zebra cichlid has a buldging eye this am with a whitish film over it. What is this? Is he ok?

 

[freddyk]

Unless the eye was damaged somehow, it's most likely a type of bacterial infection. It can be treated with anti-bacterial medications, so set up a hospital tank asap and keep a close eye on the rest of the fish.

These types of infections infrequently come with livestock. Most often the result of is from poor water quality, so make sure you're filtation and maintenance routine is keeping the tank pristine. The water quality of a heavily stocked and decorated mbuna can decline rapidly.

 

[tinfoilbarb1]

I just bought him yesterday, and he was fine. My tank has been running for a long time and the other fish are doing great. do you think he came with a disease?

 

[breezer40]

Sounds like Pop-eye which is usually caused by other problems such as poor water quality, bacterial infections, parasites and system disorders.

Can be very difficult to treat because it may be hard to identify the reason behind it and most medications just can not reach the fluid sack that builds up behind the eye. The pop-eye in itself is not fatal but but can lead to losing an eye.

 

[freddyk]

It sure sounds like he came with it - get him out of your tank! Since the problem can be a number of things, I'd treat him with antibacterial and hope for the best.

 

[SandMan8388]

Yeah it's definately Pop-eye. My Oscar had it like a month ago. Most people will say that it is un-cureable, but infact it is. Treat it as Pop-eye and see what happens, if possible isolate him in a seperate tank.

Better yet, return him and demand your money back. Or an exchange.