Female Betta Has Popeye

I know I haven't been on fishlore in a LONG time. So hi. How've you been, fishlore?

One of my female bettas has been living in a 29 gallon tank with pristella tetras and kuhlI loaches for several months, and she does great with her tank mates, but sadly today I noticed she has developed popeye. (Sorry for the lack of pictures. But yes, I'm certain it's popeye. That's a pretty easy thing to diagnose.)

I IMMEDIATELY moved her into a cycled 10 gallon quarantine tank with a sponge filter that I already had ready to go, and ordered some Furan 2 from API on Amazon, per a recommendation from a friend, and I also searched fishlore for popeye and saw Furan commonly recommended. Unfortunately, it won't arrive for 2 days.

I added 2 rounded tablespoons of aquarium salt to this 10 gallon tank, to hold her over in the mean time until the Furan arrives.

My question is: I have some E. M. Erythromycin on hand already. I noticed that, even though it has a different active ingredient, it treats several of the same ailments as Furan. Can I use the Erythromycin to treat her in the meantime until the Furan arrives? Or should I just use the aquarium salt until then?

Thank you in advance for your help, fishlore. You've never done me wrong before.

 

I realized that I haven't seen you active in a while. Welcome back!

I would normally recommend Kanaplex for cases of popeye because it's easily absorbed internally through the skin and gills and is more effective because Furan 2 works better for external problems. You still can try treating with Furan 2.

You also want to be using Epsom salt, not aquarium salt because it's Epsom salt which helps draw out fluids.

I don't suggest you treat with Erythromycin because antibiotics strain the kidneys if you're going to treat with another soon after. Epsom salt baths (1TBSP/Gallon in a separate container for 10-15 minutes) can be done to relieve fluid retention behind the eye until the Furan 2 arrives.

 

Thanks Repolie. I can use just regular old epsom salt from the grocery store right?

Her eye is more swollen today than yesterday

 

Thanks Repolie. I can use just regular old epsom salt from the grocery store right?

Her eye is more swollen today than yesterday

Yes any epsom salt will do. Just make sure it's pure epsom salt with no scents or additives.

 

Welcome back! Any more interesting axolotl vet trips? How are the shell dwellers doing??!!

 

I realized that I haven't seen you active in a while. Welcome back!

I would normally recommend Kanaplex for cases of popeye because it's easily absorbed internally through the skin and gills and is more effective because Furan 2 works better for external problems. You still can try treating with Furan 2.

You also want to be using Epsom salt, not aquarium salt because it's Epsom salt which helps draw out fluids.

I don't suggest you treat with Erythromycin because antibiotics strain the kidneys if you're going to treat with another soon after. Epsom salt baths (1TBSP/Gallon in a separate container for 10-15 minutes) can be done to relieve fluid retention behind the eye until the Furan 2 arrives.

are you saying to put her in the separate tank for 10-15 minutes?

 

are you saying to put her in the separate tank for 10-15 minutes?

No I'm saying keep her in the epsom salt bath for 10-15 minutes.

 

Hey there! It's been roughly a month, any updates on the gal?