Sick fish bulging eye

[tc760]

Need some help trying to figure out what this is and how it happened. Is there anything I can do for the fish? I just noticed the bulging eye today. I don't have a QT setup but separated the fish into a acclimation box.

Any thoughts?

 

[fishguy242]

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Need some help trying to figure out what this is and how it happened. Is there anything I can do for the fish? I just noticed the bulging eye today. I don't have a QT setup but separated the fish into a acclimation box.

Any thoughts?

If just the one eye is affected, this is most likely from a mechanical injury - the fish gets frightened, hits a tank wall or something and the eye swells up. Assuming no other issues, and the fish still eats o.k., this can get better in a few weeks. Sometimes, secondary bacterial infections start in, and then you should treat with erythromycin (Maracyn 1) in a treatment tank.

The just is still out as to if it is better to hold affected fish like this in a acclimation tank, or put them back into the main tank.

This fish may have multiple issues (I ca see some white marking on its sides) In order to delve into that deeper, I need some background information, as outlined in this link:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Here is an article on fish eye health that I wrote:

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 Hemdal

 

[tc760]

If just the one eye is affected, this is most likely from a mechanical injury - the fish gets frightened, hits a tank wall or something and the eye swells up. Assuming no other issues, and the fish still eats o.k., this can get better in a few weeks. Sometimes, secondary bacterial infections start in, and then you should treat with erythromycin (Maracyn 1) in a treatment tank.

The just is still out as to if it is better to hold affected fish like this in a acclimation tank, or put them back into the main tank.

This fish may have multiple issues (I ca see some white marking on its sides) In order to delve into that deeper, I need some background information, as outlined in this link:

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

www.reef2reef.com

Here is an article on fish eye health that I wrote:

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 Hemdal

Thank you for the information. Unfortunately the fish didn't make it through the night. I do have a Flame Angel that has been super aggressive chasing other fish so it's quite possible it was a trauma and stress issue. Might need to find a new home for him soon.