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Can a fish with "pop eyes" disease be cured or is it better to put it to sleep?

It can be cured, but please do so with caution. For Pop Eyes might also be a sign of Tubercolosis, which is transmittable to humans too. The other possibility is that your fish could be suffering from Septicemia. If you need to place your hands into the tank, please ensure that you have no cuts nor recent wounds on it.

Go to a good pet store and see if they have any anti-biotics or anti-bacterial for this condition. Hope this helps.


Bleeder's Forum
http://silentlucidity.s10.forumsplace.com

thanks...one more thing...can it effect other fish?
from ur post im almost certain it will...as for now, ive observed only one opaline gourami with popped eyes and looks like the poor creature has almost lost its eyesight...

It can affect the other fishes. Do quarantine the fish if possible. But since you are the owner, you might have to make the call. If he is too far gone, you might need to consider putting the poor fish to sleep. Keep us posted.

Bleeder's Forum
http://silentlucidity.s10.forumsplace.com

it had gone blind...wasnt eating anything, so i did what i think was right for him (RIP)
now the thing is, how should i treat the tank to save the others? so far, there havent been signs of other fish getting hit...i did quarantine it but it was quite late when i noticed that...
thanks

It is now a situation where "do you fix it if it isn't broken?". The bacteria might be dormant, and to be on the safer side I'd advise you to add a light dose of antibiotics if you can.

The other option is to wait it out for a few more days to see if any of the fishes display any signs of discomfort. I would go with the first option though. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Bleeder's Forum
http://silentlucidity.s10.forumsplace.com

Can you check your tank water for nitrate and other water parameters? If not take a water sample to a lfs for testing. It could be that high nitrate is the culprit.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Hi Lindy,
Yes, that came to my mind as well. I dont have test kit for nitrate at the moment, but ammonia and nitrite are nill. The tank is running for the last three months i guess and there hasnt been a single casualty so far. Moreover, its moderately planted and the plants are doing fine. I'm very strict on water changes (30% per week) so i doubt nitrates are a problem here...
The reason for so much debate is that fish keeping is not a very popular hobby in my locality. I couldnt find test kits from any of the very few fish stores here The ones i have right now were obtained from Ireland a couple of months ago when i was there for a training
Anyways, i plan a good big water change tonight (50%) to remove any doubts

another questions to all u helpful fellows...
treating with antibiotics would destroy most (if not all)of the beneficial bacteria...and put the tank into another complete or mini cycle, true??
Treating the fish one by one in the quarantine would be enough or the bacteria can be present in the water/decor as well...

thanks in advance

A partial water change is a good idea. Since you have gravel and plants in your tank, chances are that it is nearly impossible to remove the disease without the aid of antibiotics. You are right in that it does destroy the benefical bacteria too, but that's the hazard of fish keeping, we can't always win.

Hold out for now. You can try treating the fish in the quarantine tank first, to see how it goes.

Bleeder's Forum
http://silentlucidity.s10.forumsplace.com

Hi there,
Popeye can also be caused by an injury too,
such as a good thump to the head.
I have had great success at treating Popeye
with only Melafix.


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