Popeye?

[MombasaLionfish]

My clown fish has been in QT for almost 6 weeks being treated for marine velvet but that's not what I'm getting into. I noticed my clown fish was sinking to the bottom of the tank and had a slightly bigger eye than the other and some white stuff on its stomach but I couldn't get a picture of the white stuff because the fish is sinking. I am also about to treat the tank it's in with fluke medicine. Any idea what the white stuff could be treated with and why the fish is sinking? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Bacterial infections are common following velvet infestations due the sheer number of bites. Are you using any antibiotics currently? If not, I’d start a broad-spectrum antibiotic for good measure. Kanaplex + furan-2, or spectrogram are good options for use with copper.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Ok thanks for the advice I'll get started right away also no I am not using any antibiotics currently.
What about the sinking? Also because of a bacterial infection?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Also somebody recommended epsom salt is that a good idea to treat popeye?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Could be... if it’s not feeling up to par or infection has reached the swim-bladder. Can dose plain epsom salt to help with the eye swelling, could help swim-bladder as well.

Any white-stringy poop?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Also somebody recommended epsom salt is that a good idea to treat popeye?

^ just getting to that

 

[MombasaLionfish]

No white stringy poop, trust me I clean that tank out a lot.;Yuck
I doubt it's swim-bladder disease because it's not a wobbly swimmer.

 

[ngoodermuth]

No white stringy poop, trust me I clean that tank out a lot.;Yuck
I doubt it's swim-bladder disease because it's not a wobbly swimmer.

No, not swim bladder disease... they usually float/bob at the surface rather than sink to the bottom. I’m definitely thinking more along the lines of a secondary bacterial infection, could just be making her weak and not functioning properly.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

So give her time to heal and antibiotics?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Can I do epsom salt at the same time?

Bacterial infections are common following velvet infestations due the sheer number of bites. Are you using any antibiotics currently? If not, I’d start a broad-spectrum antibiotic for good measure. Kanaplex + furan-2, or spectrogram are good options for use with copper.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Can I do epsom salt at the same time?

Yep, sure can.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I was just looking at your photos again, the ammonia alert badge looks a little green in the one photo? Is that true to life or a trick of the camera?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Ha, yes they were high however its been given a good scrubbing and I added some Macroalgae.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

In fact I cleaned it yesterday and gave it a water change.
You are observant.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I was just asking because ammonia burns can cause white marks like that as well. I’d still use the antibiotics for the eye infection, but that might explain some of the other issues if there was ammonia present.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Huh, well it was nere toxic at one point.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Clowns aren’t as sensitive to ammonia as some fish but any measurable amount could cause issues.

Fairy wrasses are extremely sensitive, I’ve seen white marks on my wrasses before the badge has even changed color. If I notice any clouding of the fins at all or heavy breathing, I’ll immediately do a significant water change.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Ok thanks, now that I think about it she's always been a sinker so not from bacterial infection probably from something before I got her. Is the sinking a problem?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

And I will keep the tank as clean as I can from now on.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Thanks a lot he is doing way better and going in the DT in a week. Also congrats on winning that award.