Would Like A Second Opinion

[colleen0309]

I can't get pics, I'm at work. I was hoping this was an injury, but it's probably pop eye. The angel that serves as my avatar has one eye that is noticeably popped out. A week ago I gave my breeding angels their own tank. I used a mature filter. 46 gallon bow front. pH 7.5, ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 40ppm. Temp 76. Sand substrate. Live plants. Driftwood. The only other fish is a bristlenosed pleco. I originally thought it may have been caused from moving them. They did not appreciate the net in their tank. There was alot of thrashing and running into things. I tried to do it as gentle as possible. I didn't notice the eye till last night when I was watching them spawn on a sword plant. I gave them their own tank because they were too nervous in the community tank. They would eat the eggs right after they laid them. The pair are just a year old. I haven't dealt with pop eye in about ten years, so I was looking for alittle advice. What meds should I use? Erythomycin was suggested. Is this ok with the live plants? Should I move him to a hospital tank or treat in the main tank. I hate moving him around so much, actually, he hates it more than I do. If I do treat him in the 46, what about the eggs? They've made it through the night, that never happened in the main tank. I'd hate to lose them. Looking forward to your knowledgeable posts. Thanks in advance.

 

[colleen0309]

What, no replies? Well, no matter. His eye is much better today. Looks like it was an injury afterall.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Glad he's better! I've never had to deal with pop-eye before. Did you search the forum for posts about it?

 

[colleen0309]

Glad he's better! I've never had to deal with pop-eye before. Did you search the forum for posts about it?

I'm so glad you replied! I was hoping to hear from you. Your posts always seem so knowledgeable and straight forward. I searched the forum, but I didn't find much. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place. I looked at a bunch of online resources. I was so happy when I got home from work last night and the eye was so much better. I really didn't want to try to treat the tank with new eggs in there. I was hoping to get them to hatch this time, but no such luck. They ate them last night. Guess next time I'll have to try to raise them myself. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Athena]

Colleen, just for future reference (sorry, didn't notice your post before), anything like that should prompt a water change. Injuries can lead to secondary bacterial disease, so by doing extra water changes it reduces the chances of an infection occurring. Stress can cause pop eye. Sometimes, if you're lucky, the pop eye will disappear of its own accord after several water changes, but if not then you can treat it with medications - I found Myxazin was excellent for pop eye, although I've not used it with unhatched eggs in the tank. They do say it is completely safe to use and won't destroy the filter bacteria.

Anyway, as you say, your angel is looking much better now, so hopefully it was nothing seriously wrong, so all is good.

Regards, Athena

 

[colleen0309]

Thank you Athena. Yes, water changes are always my first step in treating anything that goes wrong in my tanks. I hate using chemicals, unless I absolutely have to. I must have gotten lucky because his eye is almost back to normal. A few more water changes should do the trick. Love your pic of George. I have two breeding pair of pink convicts. nice fish!

 

[loraxchick]

Also for future reference, after waterchange, epsom salt is my next go to for popeye, swimbladder, constipation...any ailment where there is fluid build up. I always treat out of the tank using dips. 1 tablespoon per gal and leave the fish for up to 30 mins 1 or 2 times a day. Its cheap, works great unless underlying bacterial problem and no need to use antibiotics!
only after 3-5 days do I consider actual meds. And that's if I see no improvement.
cheers

 

[This Old Spouse]

Also for future reference, after waterchange, epsom salt is my next go to for popeye, swimbladder, constipation...any ailment where there is fluid build up. I always treat out of the tank using dips. 1 tablespoon per gal and leave the fish for up to 30 mins 1 or 2 times a day. Its cheap, works great unless underlying bacterial problem and no need to use antibiotics!
only after 3-5 days do I consider actual meds. And that's if I see no improvement.
cheers

Do you think this would help for mouth fungus?

 

[colleen0309]

Thank you everyone for all the wonderful advice. Just a little update, my angel is back to normal. His eye looks great.

 

[Athena]

Aw, that's good to know, Colleen.

Regards, Athena

 

[colleen0309]

Glad he's better! I've never had to deal with pop-eye before. Did you search the forum for posts about it?

I'm so glad you replied! I was hoping to hear from you. Your posts always seem so knowledgeable and straight forward. I searched the forum, but I didn't find much. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place. I looked at a bunch of online resources. I was so happy when I got home from work last night and the eye was so much better. I really didn't want to try to treat the tank with new eggs in there. I was hoping to get them to hatch this time, but no such luck. They ate them last night. Guess next time I'll have to try to raise them myself. Thanks for the reply.

Just a little update. The angels eye is back to 100%. And they didn't eat the eggs. I have wigglers! I've been in the hobby a long time. I've bred many kinds of fish, but the angels never produced for me. I didn't have a big enough tank to let a big group pair off, so it has been hit or miss. Seems like I finally got it right.

 

[This Old Spouse]