clown has swollen eye.
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: EMERGENCY FORUM
Forum Description: If you have an Emergency post here and you should receive a quick reply.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66731
Printed Date: July 16 2026 at 3:14pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: clown has swollen eye.
Posted By: suiso man
Subject: clown has swollen eye.
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 9:37am
|
I woke up this morning and found that my Female clown has a swollen eye, I was looking for damage on the eye but couldn't see any, but its really hard to tell. should I catch it and treat it? Has anybody ever seen this before? I was doing some reading and came up with eye pop. is this what it is? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Here is a picture.  |
Replies:
Posted By: JohnnyHeavens
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 10:12am
|
That looks like Eye Pop from everything I've seen of it but it's a bullet I've so far been able to dodge. Hang in there. As I'm sure you know, all the smart people monitor this section of the forum in particular, expect them any minute now. ------------- @Home 300g System 150g-Cube Reef+60g Frag+WaterChange 150g Tall FOWLR RIP @Work RSM 130D w/LEDs txt anytime @ eightO1-seven5five-eighteen99 Scuba! PADI Pro DM/AI/TecDeep NSS/CDS-Full Cave Diver |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 10:59am
|
its the first time i have run into this issue. |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 11:10am
|
m on my phone, so I can't look up all my notes on diagnosis and treatment, but Popeye is usually caused by flukes or an infection. There are a couple viruses and bacteria that can cause it. If I remember correctly, you should start with a freshwater dip to remove any potential flukes...then treat with an antibiotic. If it's a virus, it'll clear up on its own. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 11:25am
|
I have been reading about it. So far what I have read says that if its only in one eye its probably due to injury, that doesn't rule out infection, but they say that its better not to try and catch the fish because it can cause more harm that good. How do you freshwater dip a fish? |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 12:55pm
|
Generally if it's limited to one eye it is due to an infection of an injury. For example, if the fish got a scratch on that eye, often times pop eye will result from an infection of that scratch. To freshwater dip you will need to get some RO/DI water warmed up to the same temperature as the tank the fish is currently in, and use some kind of ph buffer to match the ph was well. You may want to add an airstone for extra oxygenation and water movement. Put the fish in for about 5 minutes (Nikki can tell you the exact timing to use) then put it into a quarantine tank. If you want to (I usually do), you can add some methylene blue to the dip. If you do this you should definitely use an airstone because the methylene blue will somewhat inhibit the fish's ability to breath (filter oxygen from the water). It's not to an extent that it will kill the fish (usually) but it is always a good idea to run an airstone to prevent further injury or stress. I'd have to check my notes to find the exact dosage of methylene blue, although I'm sure Nikki can tell you as well seeing as I got my information from her. I have dealt with pop eye once before in a Moorish Idol. The fish actually contracted it while in copper quarantine with other fish. I suspect he was injured by another fish in quarantine. I did a freshwater dip and put him back in the quarantine. It took about 2 weeks, but the pop eye did go away without any further treatment. Also, if you do decide to freshwater dip fish, keep in mind that many will play dead when placed in fresh water. Tangs are especially good at it. I dipped my Powder Blue and almost screamed because of how dead he looked. Just minutes after being placed back into the saltwater he was swimming around and seemed happy, as if nothing had ever happened. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 1:34pm
| thanks Ann. do you know where to pick up the methylene blue? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 2:22pm
|
I use tap water (seriously...it's with good reason) for my fresh water dips. It has a pH closer to NSW than ro/di, so you won't need to adjust it much. Just add the typical dechlorinator stuff, an airstone, etc. I make the water 3 degrees warmer than the tank water because the water will cool during the dip. I dose methylene blue at 0.4ml per gallon water, but follow the manf. directions. I dip for only 5 minutes unless I suspect something that needs a longer treatment. Yes, an injury can initiate pop eye, bit there is usually an underlying infection. You can let this play out...but as someone who had a fish missing an eyeball, I don't recommend it. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 2:23pm
|
I think you will need to order it online. I would check Drs. Foster & Smith. They usually have a good selection of medications. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 5:08pm
|
My instructions on how to freshwater dip fish: http://www.reefdup.com/2013/08/24/how-to-freshwater-dip-fish/" rel="nofollow - http://www.reefdup.com/2013/08/24/how-to-freshwater-dip-fish/ ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 8:46pm
| thank you |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 8:48pm
| is there any place local that has the methylene blue? reefdup do you really have a fish that is missing an eye? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 24 2013 at 9:11pm
|
I don't know of any place local...sorry. I no longer have her (female Watanabe angel), but yes, she lost an eye to pop eye...this was several years ago while I lived in Ohio. She was beautiful even without it (albeit quite creepy), and she had no noticeable behavioral differences. The other female angels did pick on her a little, but not terribly so. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 25 2013 at 8:57am
| I was wondering is there a difference between Melafix marine and a freshwater dip with methylene blue? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 25 2013 at 9:58am
|
Melafix is cajeput oil....whatever that is. It's definitely not methylene blue. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: September 25 2013 at 11:42am
|
As far as the difference in effectiveness between the two, I doubt anyone can say. Nikki has had more experience with doctoring fish than almost anyone I know so I would follow her recommendations. I have seen fish with Pop-Eye live long lives both with and without the eye, but sometimes the fish passes on to the great eternal reef. Aloha, Mark  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 26 2013 at 7:40am
|
So I finally caught the clown last night . man it wasn't easy... Medication starts today after work. I will post pics as things progress. |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 26 2013 at 7:41am
| I am wondering, if a fish gets popeye and I heal it, will it reoccur? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 26 2013 at 8:08am
|
It depends what the root cause was. If it was an injury, then sure, the fish could reinjure himself. If it was an infection from flukes, then it depends if there are more flukes in the display...and that depends on the fluke species. If it is viral, probably not. What medication are you using to treat? If you couldn't find the methylene blue, I would just freshwater dip to check for flukes...then treat with antibiotics. If you find flukes, is treat your whole tank with prazipro prior to reintroducing the fish. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 26 2013 at 8:20am
| I am going with Maracyn2 for treatment. because I couldn't find the Methylene blue quick enough. If I do the freswater dip is it still ok for 5 minutes? |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 26 2013 at 11:07am
|
Ok, so you're going to do a maracyn 2 bath for several days? Yes, I'd still do a 5 minute freshwater dip to check for flukes. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 27 2013 at 9:17am
|
Yes i put it in last night and already I am seeing a drastic improvement. (through the murky water lol) I am going to probably do 5 days depending. fw dip done No flukes thank goodness water was clean, but I thought my fish was gonna die.. that is scary |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 27 2013 at 10:35am
|
Yaaaaaay! Keep an eye on the ammonia levels. You may be able to dose amquel (ammonia remover)...I think maracyn 2 is compatible, but check first. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |
Posted By: suiso man
Date Posted: September 29 2013 at 12:11am
| I am so sad.... my female lost her fight on the 4th day of the dosing.... I even did a water change to make sure everything was fine... |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 29 2013 at 7:19am
|
What? Wow, I'm so sorry. I wonder if the infection was spreading fast. It's not usual for fish to die of popeye unless there was a bad bacterial infection...or if environmental conditions weren't right. I'm sure she appreciated you trying. ------------- www.reefdup.com Diving since 2009, reefkeeping since 2007, & fishkeeping since 1987 200g, 75g, & 15g Systems PADI Advanced Open Water |