Silvertip tetra with bulging eyes

[elephantnose3334]

I've had a 3ft long silvertip tetra tank (148.2L) for over a year now and the tank has started to display some problems in the last few weeks. Many of the silvertips are healthy, but one male has suddenly been developing bulging eyes in the last two days. He is discoloured and has a lump on his chest. I've never experienced popeye in a tetra before. I did a water change on the 9th, but the fish isn't recovering. Here are some pics taken on Monday and today.

Monday:

Today:

What can I do during this situation?

 

[GaryE]

That's quite advanced, and the fish looks bloated.

Treatment wise, you don't have many options. You have to look at how you're running the tank first, to reduce the damage that can't be reversed. Are you overfeeding? Are you missing regular water changes?

Those are young silvertips, so it won't be age. They do look a little overfed to my eye.

 

[elephantnose3334]

That's quite advanced, and the fish looks bloated.

Treatment wise, you don't have many options. You have to look at how you're running the tank first, to reduce the damage that can't be reversed. Are you overfeeding? Are you missing regular water changes?

Those are young silvertips, so it won't be age. They do look a little overfed to my eye.

I try to do water changes with the gravel vac every two weeks or a month (depending on my work load because I'm currently studying at art college). I feed them once a day, sometimes twice, a mix of pellets and flakes, and the occasional frozen/live foods.