Flame Hawkfish with a Bulging Eye

[Hugh Mann]

I would post a picture, but my Flame Hawk is a bit of a recluse these days, hard to get a picture of it. But tonight I noticed that its right eye is bulging out, not sure what could be causing it, the other two fish, marine betta and cleaner wrasse seem to be fine. The tank is currently undergoing copper treatment for Velvet.

Ammonia 0 (Api)
Nitrite 0 (Salifert)
Nitrate 50-70 (Salifert)
Chelated Copper 2ppm (Hanna)
Temp 75
Salinity 1.024

Picture is from before the Velvet, because Big Red as I call him, is awesome.

 

[Han]

Hard to say without a picture, could it be popeye?

 

[Hugh Mann]

I looked that up, it's possible. I don't know what could have caused it, as none of the other fish are showing anything.

I'll try and get some pictures as soon as I can. If he shows himself.

 

[Han]

He could have just scraped his eye on a rock, it happens sometimes. Your nitrates are a bit high which can complicate things, I’d try to bring those down if possible so he can heal better. If it doesn’t improve I’ve had success using seachem kanaplex for popeye.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I don't actually have any rock in the tank at the moment, took it out for the copper treatment. Just pvc fittings and a handful of crushed Coral substrate I couldn't remove. He does have a habit of trying to jump out of the tank and hits the glass lid. That might do it.

I'll keep an eye on him, no pun intended, see what happens. Unfortunately Kanaplex, among other medications is very difficult to get one's hands on in Canada.

 

[Han]

Not sure if it’s available in Canada, but melafix may help somewhat. It’s a natural product so maybe it’s not illegal?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Try some Epsom salt:

"For eye and other injuries, you can also dose Epsom salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gals). Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, making it reef safe."

Fish Diseases 101

Fish Diseases 101 The purpose of this article is to provide a quick reference for identifying both “Common Diseases” and “Not So Common Diseases” afflicting saltwater fish. It is by no means a comprehensive list, but should cover the vast majority of fish diseases encountered by the average...

www.reef2reef.com

Most likely a injury if one eye.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Not sure if it’s available in Canada, but melafix may help somewhat. It’s a natural product so maybe it’s not illegal?

Yup, it is. Out of stock in a lot of places, but I'm sure I can find some. Hopefully before this becomes a major problem. Thank you.

 

[Josh_boss]

Looks like my hawk fish, I don’t think anything is wrong with it. Unless mine is defective too! Lol mine has very bulging eyes too and kinda like a Jackson chameleon they’re eyes move in other directions to see.

 

[Zionas]

Can’t say for sure but these fish do tend to have some pretty bulging eyes, so maybe it’s just stretching its eye muscles?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Looks like my hawk fish, I don’t think anything is wrong with it. Unless mine is defective too! Lol mine has very bulging eyes too and kinda like a Jackson chameleon they’re eyes move in other directions to see.

It looked like it was twice the size of the other eye. I could be wrong, as I kind of had to look sideways through the glass where it was hiding.

Awesome hawkfish by the way, great colour.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Update on the Hawkfish. I was either mistaken about the eye or the swelling went away, got a good look at him earlier.
However, the last couple days he has also been staying like this under a barnacle for most of the day. I honestly keep thinking he's dead, but then he moves.

I mean, there's not a lot of hiding spots because I took all my rock out for the copper treatment, but previously he was chilling in the pvc pipes. Still has good colour, but am a tad worried about him.

 

[Josh_boss]

Update on the Hawkfish. I was either mistaken about the eye or the swelling went away, got a good look at him earlier.
However, the last couple days he has also been staying like this under a barnacle for most of the day. I honestly keep thinking he's dead, but then he moves.

I mean, there's not a lot of hiding spots because I took all my rock out for the copper treatment, but previously he was chilling in the pvc pipes. Still has good colour, but am a tad worried about him.

Is it eating?

 

[Hugh Mann]

Not in the last 5 days. At least not that I have seen.

 

[Big G]

That's not a good sign. How many days in the copper?

 

[Hugh Mann]

I started ramping up April 8th, full dosage April 15th. Treating for Velvet, and I was told it should go on for about six weeks. 27th is the last day.