Betta fish popeye

[thatfishlover122]

Hey all! After going on vacation for two weeks, i came home to find one of my male bettas with popeye. He got fed on mondays and thursdays over two weeks but no waterchanges obviously. I'm guessing he injured his eye on mopani wood and it got infected due to no clean water but i'm not sure if that's the case. I'm 90% sure he has popeye but can't attach photos haha. So i'm adding tannins tonight, and he's having daphnia to eat. I've done a 25% gravel vacuum and i'm buying melafix tonight. If the melafix fails to help, i will begin epsom salt baths.

So.. my post is about asking for advice! If you have any experience with melafix, popeye or treating it then please say! I've done epsom salt baths before when treating dropsy (1tbsp per 1gal and bathe the betta for around 10 mins - is this the same for popeye?)

 

[Crimson_687]

DO NOT use Melafix! It is not a real medicine and will irritate fish skin and gills, especially with betta fish. It won’t do any good for the fish and will only stress him.

The key to curing popeye is good water quality, it will usually go away on its own in healthy fish when water quality is optimal. What are your water parameters? Definitely get your water changes in.

Epsom salt is for swelling, it may help reduce swelling of the eye. It would be 1 tablespoon of salt per every gallon for 10-20 minutes only.

The fish should heal on its own, but if it does not or if the infection worsens/becomes severe, you will need to treat your fish with an antibiotic