My betta has popeye, and my treatments aren't working. What's next?

'Popeye' syndrome can have different causes including infections and poor water quality. In your case the other eye may be become affected very quickly. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for that. Oxygen concentration (this could be one of the main causes as excess of O2 can cause it very commonly) and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your fish should get examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal infection and eventually water should be treated. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Minn and including photos, although the lesion can not be identified through the pictures. Is the eye protruding more than the other? Popeye can be caused by multiple problems including an infection, mass behind the eye, increased intra-ocular pressure and more. Many of these are difficult to treat but none of the over-the-counter remedies work. Test and correct water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Review diet as pellets/flakes should be purchased every 3 months as vitamins (especially vitamin C) degrade quickly. If continues to progress, a veterinary visit with an experiences aquatic veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your goldfish. Kanaplex has an antibiotic called kanamycin and is not absorbed systemically even if ingested, and fresh water fish do not drink water. The best treatment for popeye are systemic antibiotics (injections) and a carbonic anhydrase added to the water. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to assist with a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Popeye is a symptom of an underlying disorder in the tank. It can be a result of trauma or infection. Most cases can be managed by maintaining water quality and a broad spectrum antibiotic. Quarantining as you have done is always a good move. Check the tank for any furniture/décor that may cause injury. Check the water chemistry, filtration and temperature next. Any imbalances can predispose a fish to illness. Partial water changes can be done to improve quality and correct imbalances. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Maracyn Plus or Kanaplex can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco or fish store. You can use either, in addition to plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt), to treat. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days with salt then perform partial water changes to decrease salinity. Treat only the amount of water going back into the tank with salt to avoid overdosing.

Thanks for reaching out about Cher and including photos. It does appear as if the right eye is enlarged or protruding. Causes of this can be air entrapment behind the eye (usually a result of a faulty pump), retro-bulbar infection/mass or other systemic illnesses. Test and correct water parameters. A veterinary visit for antibiotics is probably the best advise now. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your fish and including photos. Don't think it ruptured as these usually collapse. Corneal bleeding can be due to trauma or ruptured blood vessels from disease. Check and correct water quality. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and establish a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Recheck water chemistry to confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. A pH of 7 is fine and they can adjust to more acidic water as long as the change is gradual. Temperature should range between 78 F and 80 F. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Perform partial water changes every couple of days to maintain water quality. Treat only the volume of water being replaced. Treat with aquarium salt for no more than 14 days then reassess the condition. An antibiotic, such as kanamycin or erythromycin, can be found in the aquarium section of the local Petco if the salt treatment doesn't help. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.