Damsel has pop-eye, what to do?

[MoshJosh]

So yesterday my damsel's eye was looking a bit off, but couldn't really tell what was up, this morning it definitely has pop eye. I did a water change this morning cause. . .when it doubt change water. Checked nutrients, Nitrate at 5 and Phos at 0.025-0.05. My guess it the eye got injured as the damsel is protecting his eggs and will fight anybody. . . he has gotten into it with my coral banded before. Could an injury cause this? Also if I can't catch/isolate the fish is there anything to do besides give it good water quality?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So yesterday my damsel's eye was looking a bit off, but couldn't really tell what was up, this morning it definitely has pop eye. I did a water change this morning cause. . .when it doubt change water. Checked nutrients, Nitrate at 5 and Phos at 0.025-0.05. My guess it the eye got injured as the damsel is protecting his eggs and will fight anybody. . . he has gotten into it with my coral banded before. Could an injury cause this? Also if I can't catch/isolate the fish is there anything to do besides give it good water quality?

Likely stemmed from injury but can also be infection. You can keep an eye on it and see if inflating goes down or treat with Maracyn- not Maracyn ox which should help

 

[MoshJosh]

Likely stemmed from injury but can also be infection. You can keep an eye on it and see if inflating goes down or treat with Maracyn- not Maracyn icy which should help

safe to dose the whole tank (mixed reef) with that?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So yesterday my damsel's eye was looking a bit off, but couldn't really tell what was up, this morning it definitely has pop eye. I did a water change this morning cause. . .when it doubt change water. Checked nutrients, Nitrate at 5 and Phos at 0.025-0.05. My guess it the eye got injured as the damsel is protecting his eggs and will fight anybody. . . he has gotten into it with my coral banded before. Could an injury cause this? Also if I can't catch/isolate the fish is there anything to do besides give it good water quality?

Can you post a picture?

jay

 

[MoshJosh]

Can you post a picture?

jay

He did not really want to cooperate for a photo, but I tried

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

He did not really want to cooperate for a photo, but I tried

That does look pretty severe. In mild cases, the eyes often get better in a few weeks. In severe cases like this, the fish may lose its eye.
Jay

 

[MoshJosh]

That does look pretty severe. In mild cases, the eyes often get better in a few weeks. In severe cases like this, the fish may lose its eye.
Jay

That sucks! Anything I can or should do? I don’t think I can catch him without removing all the rock.

 

[Cheezle]

FWIW, my blenny had a big eye for maybe a week. I just carried on like business as usual and it cleared up on its own. Pretty sure mine got stung by the torch he lives under, but either way I feel like trying to catch him will stress em out and increase risk of more damage.

That sucks! Anything I can or should do? I don’t think I can catch him without removing all the rock.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That sucks! Anything I can or should do? I don’t think I can catch him without removing all the rock.

No, antibiotics in a treatment tank could be needed if a secondary infection develops, but in most cases, time is the only cure.
Jay

 

[JaaxReef]

What happened to the damsel in this severe case? I’ve had a popeye correct itself pretty quickly before from injury but it wasn’t quite as bad as a case that just started in my Lamarck angel yesterday. Really sticking out…

 

[MoshJosh]

What happened to the damsel in this severe case? I’ve had a popeye correct itself pretty quickly before from injury but it wasn’t quite as bad as a case that just started in my Lamarck angel yesterday. Really sticking out…

Little dude recovered just fine! Popeye resolved on its own after a few days! I think keeping water clean and feeding quality food helps/helped but that’s what we all try to do anyway right!

 

[JaaxReef]

Little dude recovered just fine! Popeye resolved on its own after a few days! I think keeping water clean and feeding quality food helps/helped but that’s what we all try to do anyway right!

Great to hear and hoping the best for my Angel! Had a wrasse go through the same thing and he healed just fine in about 5 or 6 days, so hoping this sort of story tells itself again!