Rough Sailing: Popeye?

[Maritimer]

Hi, All . . .

I've got an orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) who's the largest and most dominant wrasse in my tank - but delight in the many variations of wrasses! So, last weekend, I introduced (post-quarantine) a young C. isoscoles pintail fairy and a small male C. solorensis clown fairy to the display tank, using a mirror at one end to help diffuse any aggression.

After about 24 hours, my beautiful orange-back suddenly became quite reserved (he's usually front-and-center). I thought he was simply working into an uneasy truce with the solorensis, whom he initially chased - but then his left eye began to swell.

I'm thinking he probably banged it on something, either chasing the solorensis or his own reflection, but I'm worried, because the swelling isn't going down - in fact, it's becoming more pronounced. Is there anything I can do to assist this gentle beauty?

~Bruce

 

[melypr1985]

Hi Bruce! Yes sir... you can add some Epsom salt to the display to help relieve the swelling. If you already dont, add vitamins like Selcon or Vitachem to their food for a while to help boost his immune system. Give him some time to see if he heals on his own and watch for infection.

 

[melypr1985]

Epsom Salt: Treats eye and other injuries. Popeye in one eye usually means injury, but popeye in both eyes usually denotes a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Cloudy eye can be a bacterial infection or flukes.

How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.

Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.

Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

 

[Maritimer]

Thanks, Meredith!

Is there a significant difference between Epsom salt and Kent's Tech-M? I've been using that to battle Bryopsis, so my Mg.'s pretty high . . .

~Bruce

 

[Humblefish]

Thanks, Meredith!

Is there a significant difference between Epsom salt and Kent's Tech-M? I've been using that to battle Bryopsis, so my Mg.'s pretty high . . .

~Bruce

Using pure Epsom salt would yield a higher concentration of just Magnesium Sulfate and that is what you want for this situation.

Tech-M contains Deionized Water, Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate. So it would be more diluted.

 

[Maritimer]

Thank you, Humblefish. Perfect answer.

~Bruce

 

[melypr1985]

Using pure Epsom salt would yield a higher concentration of just Magnesium Sulfate and that is what you want for this situation.

Tech-M contains Deionized Water, Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate. So it would be more diluted.

^^ What he said. lol

 

[domination2580]

Looks like you got it covered! Humblefish and melypr will always point u in the right direction.

 

[Maritimer]

Epsom Salt: Treats eye and other injuries. Popeye in one eye usually means injury, but popeye in both eyes usually denotes a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Cloudy eye can be a bacterial infection or flukes.
How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.
Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.
Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

Glad you mentioned "USP" - the first package I discovered in my local CVS wasn't, and contained fragrances and other things that screamed "Danger, Will Robinson!" at me!

It's in ... here's hoping it brings relief.

~Bruce

 

[Humblefish]

Glad you mentioned "USP" - the first package I discovered in my local CVS wasn't, and contained fragrances and other things that screamed "Danger, Will Robinson!" at me!

It's in ... here's hoping it brings relief.

~Bruce

Yeah, you gotta steer clear of "nice smelling" Epsom salt people use in baths. Stick with plain old Epsom salt.

 

[Maritimer]

Thank you again, @melypr1985 & @Humblefish - the orange-back's eye is much less swollen, and it looks as though he's on the current to recovery!

~Bruce

 

[Humblefish]

Thank you again, @melypr1985 & @Humblefish - the orange-back's eye is much less swollen, and it looks as though he's on the current to recovery!

~Bruce

Glad to hear it!

 

[melypr1985]

Thank you again, @melypr1985 & @Humblefish - the orange-back's eye is much less swollen, and it looks as though he's on the current to recovery!

~Bruce

Awesome!