My molly fish has a pop-out eye. What's wrong and how to treat?

Separate him out to a quarantine tank. A bacterial or fungal infection can be treated using the appropriate medication found in the Aquarium section of the local Petco. Once he has recovered. he can be returned to the main tank. If it is early ich infection, you will need to treat the entire tank.

It could be "pop eye". This can be caused by infection or trauma (aggression or from tank furniture). Treatment will include medication and maintaining pristine water quality. Goldfish produce a larger than average bio load (wastes) which can quickly overwhelm a tank and filter. Ideally, one goldfish should have 20 gallons of water and 10 additional gallons should be added per extra fish. The filter should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. Check water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20 ppm or less. Partial water changes can be done to stabilize chemistry and maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Goldfish are cold water fish and do best between 65F and 72F. A broad spectrum antibiotic can be found in the Aquarium section of the local Petco. These include erythromycin, tetracycline or kanamycin. Brands include Kanaplex, Maracyn , FishMox or FishCillin. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

In this case you need a quite radical approach. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. Clinical examination should always include a water quality check, even if you have done so already. Water testing should be performed with a quality test kit, measuring NH4, NO2 and NO3. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for these signs. Oxygen concentration 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Maintain pristine water quality and stable chemistry. If the fish is not a scaleless fish, you can use plain aquarium salt as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition of the injured fish. Partial water changes can be performed afterwards to reduce salinity. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock.

It may be a bacterial infection or trauma. Monitor for bullying since you have other fish. Most minor infections can be managed or resolved by maintaining pristine water quality. A bit of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to aid in recovery, reduce stress and improve gill function. Dissolve 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition. If the condition is unchanged, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

The natural antibiotic properties of Melafix work best with minor or external infections. Your Molly may be quite ill and may need more aggressive treatment. If you have other fish in the tank, especially Bettas or Gouramis, you cannot use Melafix as this could harm them. Separate the molly to a hospital tank and treat there. You will need to remove the carbon filter insert during treatment or it will filter out the Melafix. The symptoms listed may indicate bacterial infection, parasites, constipation or obstruction. If Negrito has a pinecone appearance, he may have a serious infection (dropsy) that is causing kidney failure. This would in turn cause the swollen abdomen and lack of appetite. Check the water chemistry, temperature and filtration. Ammonia and nitrites should be absent and nitrates can be present at 40ppm (parts per million) or less. Molies do best in water between 75F and 80F. Perform a partial water change if necessary to stabilize chemistry and maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Clean water is the best way to manage any infection. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water but it is not recommended if your molly has dropsy. In this case, Epsom salt can be used to decrease swelling. Allow a 15-30 minute swim in a bath prepared with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water. Do this in a separate container. It could help with constipation as well. If the Melafix does not help, use a product such as Kanaplex or Maracyn. These are broad spectrum antibiotics that you can find in the aquarium section of the local pet or fish store. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Hopefully, any infection will be resolved with treatment. If it is dropsy, unfortunately, this condition has a high mortality rate.

It looks like it could be popeye. This is caused by a bacterial infection. Keep him quarantined, maintaining pristine water quality. You can use Maracyn Plus or similar product to treat. Find it in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.