Maculiceps Tang Eye Bulge and Lateral Line

[RyanFish]

Hi everyone,
Hope you all are keeping safe. I have a large Maculiceps tang that I’ve had for quite a while. He is a great fish that is healthy weight and was very active. About a week ago, I noticed his entire lateral on one side of his body was inflamed and bulging out. I had never seen it before so I decided to change water and test parameters. All the parameters were fine. I haven’t made any new additions to the tank in over 6 months. The inflammation went away but yesterday and today I’ve noticed that one of his eyes is larger than the other, its definitely swollen. He is also hiding. Above his eye there also seems to be a small hole that is red. All my other fish are doing great. But the maculiceps is definitely unhappy, hiding on one side of the tank, and not actively going out for food. He is also breathing more rapidly than normal even though he is mostly swimming in one place.
I can’t get a great picture of him. But I’ve taken 2 which show the side where the eye is swollen. He also “hides” his other side/eye to the back wall but there is nothing wrong with his other side. Could it he trauma? Hole in the head or lateral line? Popeye?
I honestly don’t know what to do. I don’t want to unnecessarily stress him by trying a bunch of things, because that may exacerbate whatever problem he has.
Any help or thoughts would be really appreciated!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

With both of the eyes swollen that makes me think there is a bacterial infection. Erythromycin is a good medicine for treating eye infections. Flukes on the eyes may be another possibility.
If you can catch him, give it a freshwater dip which will confirm flukes which will look like small sesame seeds on bottom of container.
For lateral line, add vitamins to food and feed at least:
Formula 2 frozen and flake, LRS herbivore diet, mysis shrimp and spirulina brine shrimp with garlic added

 

[NB Reefer]

#reefsquad can we help out?

 

[RyanFish]

Thank you for your response. One eye is currently swollen. I will try to give vitamin rich food.

 

[RyanFish]

One thing I did do in the past few months was put a bag of carbon about 1.5months ago to remove the yellow water color that happens due to pellet feeding. I removed the carbon after about 8 days. It was 2 small half filled bags no where near the recommended amount of carbon that should be used for a 400 gallon tank. I use activated carbon rarely at low dose just to slowly remove the color.

 

[Big G]

Usually when it is just one eye swollen it's from an injury, banging into rocks, equipment, etc. Can treat the swollen eye in the display by adding 1 tablespoon of plain USP epsom salt per 5 gallon of tank water. Can redose once a day or two later. It will slightly elevate your mag levels. Old school method that's been around a long time. Best of luck with your fish