Eye infection?

[Chrisv.]

Hi All, I have a several year old ocellaris clown that developed swelling on one eye sometime over the last four days. I could be mistaken but I think the eye itself has a gas bubble in it. This is based both on visual inspection and on the fact that she is swimming at a ~25° angle with the infected eye up. Here are a few pics-- not perfect but as good as I could for the moment.

 

[Chrisv.]

Another photo

 

[Chrisv.]

@Jay Hemdal any thoughts?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal any thoughts?

Gas bubbles in the eye do happen - they will look silvery. I can sort of see that in the pictures, but can't say for certain. Many times, gas bubbles in a fish's eye is caused by mechanical trauma. Here is an article I wrote on fish eye diseases:

Aquarium Fish: The ‘Eyes’ Have it: A Review of Eye Health in Aquarium Fishes

Aquarists need to inspect their fish closely every day, for signs of impending health problems. It is much easier to resolve a problem when it first starts, than to attempt a drastic emergency treatment when the fish is close to dying.

reefs.com

I often suggest erythromycin in a treatment tank for eye problems like this, but really, I think many of these either get better or not, despite any treatment.


Jay

 

[Chrisv.]

Thanks!

 

[Chrisv.]

 

[Chrisv.]

Managed to get a few pictures.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Managed to get a few pictures.

Yep - if it is just the right eye involved, then this is likely a mechanical damage issue. There is no treatment for this except supportive care - feeding the fish well and trying to keep it from damaging the eye further. If the eye gets really red, or develops a white covering, then it may be infected. If that happens, then erythromycin in a treatment tank would be something to try.

Jay

 

[Chrisv.]

He sleeps with his face against the glass. I wonder if this is from him bumping it against the glass at night.