My Banded Sleeper goby has an eye problem

[HarleighHesse]

Hey everyone. I just got this goby 2 days ago. He was fine then and he has been fine for the last 2 days. But this afternoon I noticed he has a bulging left eye. Havent had any illnesses in years. It's hard to remember them all. Is it popeye or do you think he just injured it on a rock? I have attached two pictures below. 1st is the bad left eye. 2nd is a pic of his good eye for comparison

 

[Katrina71]

I had that happen with a clown. Luckily it cleared on it's own.

 

[Katrina71]

Good water parameters are key.

 

[HarleighHesse]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep an eye on it

 

[HarleighHesse]

Good water parameters are key.

Only 2 parameters I dont like are my nitrates (between 30 and 40) and the temperature (80). Everything else is appearing to be perfect. I am running a 75 gallon and only have a few fish in it right now. The banded goby, lawn mower blennie, 6 hermit crabs and halloween urchin are doing a stellar job cleaning it up. So I'm hoping that will bring my nitrates down. They were at 10-15 December 12 but I only have one hermit crab cleaning the tank.

 

[Katrina71]

Those are pretty high. How often do you do a water change?

 

[code4]

I have both treated while in quarantine and left it alone. They both did well. Since it is just the one eye it most likely injured itself. If in quarantine I would treat with antibiotics. Antibiotics help keep secondary infections at bay while the eye heals itself. If in a display tank good water parameters are a must as mentioned before.

Shelley

 

[HarleighHesse]

Those are pretty high. How often do you do a water change?

It was set up December 3rd. I previously had a 14 gallon nano. We had a 65 gallon years ago and downsized. So it hadn't had a clean since its initial set up. How often would you suggest doig water changes on a 75 and are you talking 20%?

 

[Big G]

One eye is probably an injury. Can dose the display tank with plain USP epsom salts. It will help with the swelling. Dosage is 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of tank water. Can redose once. Does not harm water quality.

If does not clear or swelling increases. Can dose with methylene blue in a QT. It will turn everything blue.

And lastly if the eye appears to take a turn for the worse. Can treat with erythromycin. Best antibiotic for eye injuries. Dose in a QT as it is very harsh on the bio filter of a tank.

 

[Katrina71]

I would do 20% per week until things stabilize.

 

[HarleighHesse]

Thanks guys! Great advice. I'll do that

 

[mike550]

Not an expert on this. Is the fish lethargic or showing any other symptoms?

I had a similar situation. Did a freshwater dip and then into QT. Treated with erythromycin for five days. Fish looked much better. Held in QT for observation then fresh water dip a second time before going back into DT

 

[HarleighHesse]

He isnt as active as he has been. Still sifting sand a bit. But seems a bit shyer than before.

 

[HarleighHesse]

But my two fish are chasing him. So I'm wondering if they did it

 

[HarleighHesse]

Update: goby was being chased and picked on by one of the other fish. I caught the fish out and am taking it back. The goby didnt make it though Sad to have lost him. I really liked the goby

 

[code4]

Some fish just don't tolerate new additions well. Sorry the little Guy didn't make it.

 

[HarleighHesse]

Some fish just don't tolerate new additions well. Sorry the little Guy didn't make it.

Thanks. He seemed ok but the other new fish was beating him up. Probably for the better that we are returning him. He was getting aggressive with everyone

 

[vetteguy53081]

Epsom salt bath effective as is melafix with cloudy eye
Ammonia is generally a cause as well as injury. Monitor ammonia levels and run a lab grade carbon for tank