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Popeye
Common Name: Popeye
Scientific Name: Exophthalmia
Description: Symptom of infection
Symptoms: swelling and protrusion
of one or both eyes
Cause: bacterial, viral or parasitic
Medications: Maracyn, Maracyn-Two
combined
Ingredients: Erythromycin,
Minocycline, Tetracycline
Notes: none
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More Information
Popeye, also called exophthalmia is a symptom, not a disease
in itself and has many possible causes. Popeye is characteristically
diagnosed by the swelling or protrusion of one or both eyes.
Curing popeye can be difficult if the source is unknown. The origin can
range from bacterial, viral, parasitic or as an effect of fish
tuberculosis. It’s often impossible to determine which has infected a
given fish. Answers may lie in other symptoms. When you first notice
popeye it’s best to observe your sick fish and other tankmates for
other signs of disease that may offer a clue. For example, if the
popeye is accompanied by redness under the scales you may deduce that
the source is bacterial. There is no sure way to determine the cause
and your best guess may be all you have.
Generally when the origin is unknown aquarists begin by treating with a
broad-spectrum antibiotic like Tetracycline or a combination of
gram-positive and gram-negative antibiotics like Mardel’s Maracyn and
Maracyn-Two that contain Erythromycin and Minocycline respectively.
Exophthalmia itself is not contagious but the infection that caused it
may be so it’s best to treat any sick fish in a hospital tank away from
other healthy tankmates. The original infection is most commonly caused
by poor water quality and measure to improve the tank water should be
taken immediately. Poor water quality does is not usually obvious to
the naked eye. Your water may seem to be clean in appearance but there
could be toxins present like ammonia, nitrite and elevated nitrate
levels. The only way to determine the presence of these toxins is to
test with the appropriate water test kits. Other stressors may have
contributed to the infection like fluctuating temperature or pH or
harassment from other tankmates.
To avoid diseases like popeye, keep up with your water changes,
frequently test your water and never introduce new fish to the tank
without first quarantining them in a separate tank for 3 – 4 weeks
before exposing them to healthy fish.
The lasting effects of popeye vary from a full recovery to cloudy,
swollen or even a missing eye. It’s not believed that these effects
inhibit the quality of life for the fish. Even in the case of a missing
eye, the fish can live a full and normal life. If your fish looses his
eye be sure to keep your water very clean to avoid any further
infection while the socket is healing.
Just a note…
Antibiotic resistance is a problem facing aquarists all over the world.
This occurs when bacteria evolve to make newer, stronger strains that
cannot be combated by available antibiotics. To avoid creating tougher
strains of bacteria be sure to carefully follow the directions on the
medicine package and to never stop or change medications part way
through treatment unless your betta is having a dangerous reaction to
them. As with any disease, remove your sick fish from the community
tank and isolate him for treatment in a hospital tank. Never medicate
healthy fish.
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