Popeye rate of keeping eye?

[nbd13]

Hi everyone,

What’s everyone’s success rate with popeye?

I’ve dosed epsom salt and neoplex per HotRocks recommendations.

Here’s a picture. Started Saturday, dosed the meds Sunday and got worse. Has been like this since Sunday. The eye ball itself looks almost out of the socket!

Thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

@HotRocks @4FordFamily @Big G @ngoodermuth any ideas?

 

[ngoodermuth]

That’s pretty severe :/ I wouldn’t have high hopes of saving the eye... but could possibly save the fish.

I’ve always recommended erythromycin for eye infections, but as bad as this one looks Neoplex + Sulphaplex might be a good option too, if you have the latter...

 

[4FordFamily]

I have nothing to add, unfortunately we can’t always win the battle

 

[Brian Treadwell]

I have an Bartletts Anthias that has had Popeye twice and recovered both times with no help at all but never quit too that degree. Sorry

 

[nbd13]

Thanks everyone. Got it after copper treatment...I figured the eye might be a goner. One of the worst I’ve seen.

Fish hasn’t eaten since Saturday when it started....not sure he’ll make it or not.

Haven’t had the greatest luck with these Borbonius Anthias...

 

[Michael Biando]

I have never seen them recover the eye when it’s that bad

 

[Brad Miller]

My experiences with Popeye, along with friends that have dealt with it in different ways, equate to this;

Generally happens from the eye being physically damaged by something or in most cases from poor water quality.

Popeye in most cases will go away on its own

If diagnosed early, quarantine, Epsom salts and feeding highly nutritious food with garlic does help keep the swelling down and recovery often happens

Surgically draining behind the eye with a syringe can be very successful if done early in diagnosis

Severe cases, the eye can easily be removed or wait and it will fall out leaving the fish blind

Popeye hasn’t caused the fish to die in any of the cases I’ve seen or any of the friends that I’ve dealt with unless the fish develops an infection.

 

[happyhourhero]

I had an anthias that used to get it. Only one though. It always went away on its own. Fish eventually killed itself hitting the rocks doing its mating dance. Don’t keep Marcia Anthias in shallow tanks.

 

[nbd13]

Thought I would update this...

The borbonius’ eye got worse and now is actually getting better. I’d say 75% better. Hopefully it stays on that track!

It started eating again and has his aggressive appetite back now.

I’ll try to get a picture, but he still has the eye. Small gas bubble still, but much much better than it was.

Fingers crossed here!

How soon after his eye is “normal” should it be safe to add to display tank?

Thanks

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Thought I would update this...

The borbonius’ eye got worse and now is actually getting better. I’d say 75% better. Hopefully it stays on that track!

It started eating again and has his aggressive appetite back now.

I’ll try to get a picture, but he still has the eye. Small gas bubble still, but much much better than it was.

Fingers crossed here!

How soon after his eye is “normal” should it be safe to add to display tank?

Thanks

I typically do a 10-14 day observation period on anything I treat before going into my DT

 

[nbd13]

Has anyone popped the bubble of popeye?

The fish still has its eye! It’s back in its socket just have this gas bubble.

Have you ever popped the bubble in popeye?

Wondering if anyone has taken a small needle, sterilized it and popped it? Too risky?

Thanks

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Has anyone popped the bubble of popeye?

The fish still has its eye! It’s back in its socket just have this gas bubble.

Have you ever popped the bubble in popeye?

Wondering if anyone has taken a small needle, sterilized it and popped it? Too risky?

Thanks

I wouldn’t do that as you risk losing the fluid in the eye causing blindness. Just give it time it should subside

 

[nbd13]

I wouldn’t do that as you risk losing the fluid in the eye causing blindness. Just give it time it should subside

Ok thanks. That’s what I needed to know.

 

[nbd13]

Would you keep it in QT or safe to go in display?

 

[cracker]

Great news , that looks sooo much better. I'd be very tempted to pop it also. Lets see if an expert will comment.

 

[nbd13]

Just as a final follow up to this...the fish lived and is doing great! He still has his eye!! Completely normal now!

In the display tank eating like a champ.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Adele]

wow what a recovery! I had a Lyretail Anthia with popeye once. Epsom salts did the trick and the eye was saved. I appreciate your "full circle" story along with the follow up pic.