Heniochus Pop Eye Problems

[Pickle_soup]

I love this fish. They are great additions to a reef aquarium, however, I am starting to think that they don't do well in tanks because of Popeye problems. This is my second Heni, and as a juvenile, it is already developing popeye problems. I had my previous one for 8 years, and it was a constant thing. This little fella has his first case. I am not sure what the cause is. Water perimeters are fine. I don't think it's bacterial as no other fish have it, and it's not an injury as both eyes are enlarged. He is still eating, and I feed him focus and kanaplex, but it's clear that he is in serious discomfort. I am going to buy a new return pump to make sure it's not gas supersaturation, but I do not see any bubbles anywhere in the tank. If you have a similar experience with this fish, please let me know and how you have delt with it.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I love this fish. They are great additions to a reef aquarium, however, I am starting to think that they don't do well in tanks because of Popeye problems. This is my second Heni, and as a juvenile, it is already developing popeye problems. I had my previous one for 8 years, and it was a constant thing. This little fella has his first case. I am not sure what the cause is. Water perimeters are fine. I don't think it's bacterial as no other fish have it, and it's not an injury as both eyes are enlarged. He is still eating, and I feed him focus and kanaplex, but it's clear that he is in serious discomfort. I am going to buy a new return pump to make sure it's not gas supersaturation, but I do not see any bubbles anywhere in the tank. If you have a similar experience with this fish, please let me know and how you have delt with it.

I've not seen this issues specifically with Heniochus, but commonly see it with some other large-eyed fish like Bigeyes. If the issue was from supersaturation, you would likely see other symptoms, like air bubbles along the fin rays. This is most often caused by an air leak at the suction side of a pump. If you have a submerged pump, that won't cause that.

You're correct in thinking that injuries can cause this, but usually in just one eye. However, it is possible for a fish to injure both eyes at the same time.

Chronic diseases like Mycobacterium can cause bulging eyes, but they develop slowly, over time.

Can you post a picture/video of the fish?

Here is an article I wrote on fish eye health, it won't have an answer for you, but it will give background information:

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

Jay

 

[Pickle_soup]

I've not seen this issues specifically with Heniochus, but commonly see it with some other large-eyed fish like Bigeyes. If the issue was from supersaturation, you would likely see other symptoms, like air bubbles along the fin rays. This is most often caused by an air leak at the suction side of a pump. If you have a submerged pump, that won't cause that.

You're correct in thinking that injuries can cause this, but usually in just one eye. However, it is possible for a fish to injure both eyes at the same time.

Chronic diseases like Mycobacterium can cause bulging eyes, but they develop slowly, over time.

Can you post a picture/video of the fish?

Here is an article I wrote on fish eye health, it won't have an answer for you, but it will give background information:

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

Jay

Thanks Jay. One eye is pretty much back to normal, just a little air bubble on top of it formed. Something I have seen with my other Heni regularly. One eye looks reddish, and a bit injured is also improving, but still protrudes a bit. I am not sure if that eye was injured during the process, prior to, or if just so much pressure is on that eye that it turned red. Thanks for the info on the pumps. I have no external pumps.