Bulging eyes on clown fish

[Vicki77]

Clown fish has recently released eggs and has bulging eyes. Seems to be gasping. It is eating fine and staying around the eggs. Very worried about the protruding eyes. Her stomach also still seems large. Water ph 8.2, amonia 0, nitrite 0 & nitrate 40.

Any ideas?

 

[Bifferwine]

Google pictures of popeye in fish. Does it look like that?

 

[Vicki77]

Yes it does, not as severe as some pic's. I have trace element vitamin solution is it worth using that?

 

[Bifferwine]

Popeye usually occurs as a result of physical injury to the eye (like bumping into rocks or getting caught in a net). It is also aggravated by poor nutrition and poor water quality. Your nitrates are kind of high, you should work on getting them below 20. Keeping up with water changes will help. I don't think trace elements will help -- water changes will accomplish anything the trace element additives are going to do.

Usually popeye will heal itself and go away on its own. If it doesn't, the fish can often lose the eye. If this happens, they can be fine, or they could also starve to death because they can't hunt as well anymore. I have a pajama cardinal that got popeye when I moved him from tank to tank with a net. He ended up losing the eye, but it's been about 5 years now, and he gets by just fine without it.

You can also treat it using epsom salt (1 tablespoon per 10 gallons). That will help with the swelling.

 

[wontonflip]

Your nitrates are kind of high, you should work on getting them below 20..

Said the woman with the 150ppm nitrates at one point :shock:

:mrgreen: ok, ready for my ban stick now :D Be gentle!


Hope your fish comes out fine, vicki.

 

[dcantucson]

Good luck with Popeye, Vicki.

 

[mikewurtz]

Popeye? Doesn't a little Olive Oil usually soothe that?

Bazinga!

 

[dcantucson]

:shock::shock:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

Good one!