Popeye with a twist?

[TK_KW]

Recently got a new wrasse, and day or two after I got him, it seems I've come across popeye again. So I've dealt with it in the past from flukes being the cause. But this time around its odd. No sign of flukes, no cloudiness. But it looks like a air bubble is caught under his eye? Thoughts?

Currently in 2ppm+ of copper power. And I dosed Epsom salts about two days ago.

#reefsquad
#4FordFamily

 

[vetteguy53081]

Recently got a new wrasse, and day or two after I got him, it seems I've come across popeye again. So I've dealt with it in the past from flukes being the cause. But this time around its odd. No sign of flukes, no cloudiness. But it looks like a air bubble is caught under his eye? Thoughts?

Currently in 2ppm+ of copper power. And I dosed Epsom salts about two days ago.

#reefsquad
#4FordFamily

air socket - weakest part of fish. It should subside but you can administer ethromyacin (maracyn 1) to help reverse this in separate tank

 

[TK_KW]

This I'm assuming?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Recently got a new wrasse, and day or two after I got him, it seems I've come across popeye again. So I've dealt with it in the past from flukes being the cause. But this time around its odd. No sign of flukes, no cloudiness. But it looks like a air bubble is caught under his eye? Thoughts?

Currently in 2ppm+ of copper power. And I dosed Epsom salts about two days ago.

#reefsquad
#4FordFamily

That is often caused by trauma. It sometimes goes away on its own, other times it gets worse. If you see this in multiple fish, it is usually due to gas supersaturation in the tank.
Jay

 

[Mr_Knightley]

I'm no fish expert, however Jake Adams recently dealt with a similar thing in one of his purple tilefish. This fish had it much worse than yours, but the procedure is the same. I wouldn't try this unless you are very confident that you have a steady hand & a strong stomach. Try everything other users have recommended first, this is mostly just to show that it is possible.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I'm no fish expert, however Jake Adams recently dealt with a similar thing in one of his purple tilefish. This fish had it much worse than yours, but the procedure is the same. I wouldn't try this unless you are very confident that you have a steady hand & a strong stomach. Try everything other users have recommended first, this is mostly just to show that it is possible.

I've tried the needle technique dozens of times and never had it work permanently. In every case I got the same results; the bubbles were easy to remove, afterwards the fish did great, but then within a week, the bubbles returned. I had one coldwater haddock that I did this to over 15 times and could never resolve it. Not saying it can't be done, but I've stopped trying. One of the issues is that these bubbles are caused by trauma. Catching the fish up to remove the bubbles adds to that trauma in a vicious cycle.

Here is an article I wrote that talks about this issue:

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