Platy with popeye

for a while now, i've had a 10 gallon platy tank. (originally held 4 platies and a few cherry shrimp.) over time, one of the platies died of old age, and another was returned to the fish store due to aggression issues. I eventually realized that it was better for me just to dismantle the tank, and rehome the last two platies. (i understood that platies do better in a larger school, in a larger tank. plus, i realized that i was going to be going into highschool in a couple months, which would leave me little time to keep up the tank maintenance for this 10 gallon, as well as my 5 gallon betta tank.)

Long story short, i was ready to empty this platy tank.

the day i went to pack up the fish in order to bring them back to the store, i realized that one of the platies had a case of popeye. i didn't think the store would accept him, and i didn't want to give anyone a sick fish, if i could heal it.

I tried doing a 25% water change every day for a week, and his eye still got worse. I tried a salt dip, which wasn't affective at all. i tried to treat the tank with melafix, nothing. today was the last day of the melafix treatment, which i ended with a water change. the platies eye is worse than the beginning of the melafix treatment. I really can't think of anything else i can do, other than more water changes? though i'm doubtful they would change anything. does anyone have any ideas?

 

Hi,

To combat the swelling, you can do some epsom salt baths. Use pure epsom salts with no additives or scents. Take some tank water, and dissolve one tablespoon into a gallon of tank water. Put the fish in the bath, and leave it there for about 15 to 20 minutes. As long as it's not stressing the fish out too much, you can do this twice a day. It should help to bring the swelling down.

Next, you can actually add aquarium salt to the tank (not a dip, but in the actual tank). Just follow the instructions on the package.

If that doesn't do the trick then if you want to invest in a fish antibiotic, or you have one on hand, you can dose with that (there are a lot of them that will treat pop eye). I don't find that any of the "fix" medicines are particularly helpful. But that is just from my own experience.

 

Hi,

To combat the swelling, you can do some epsom salt baths. Use pure epsom salts with no additives or scents. Take some tank water, and dissolve one tablespoon into a gallon of tank water. Put the fish in the bath, and leave it there for about 15 to 20 minutes. As long as it's not stressing the fish out too much, you can do this twice a day. It should help to bring the swelling down.

Next, you can actually add aquarium salt to the tank (not a dip, but in the actual tank). Just follow the instructions on the package.

If that doesn't do the trick then if you want to invest in a fish antibiotic, or you have one on hand, you can dose with that (there are a lot of them that will treat pop eye). I don't find that any of the "fix" medicines are particularly helpful. But that is just from my own experience.

i tried with the salt already, but it didn't know i could do it up to twice a day. also, i didn't know about the 'fix' medications not being the best. Thanks for the advice

 

Hi,

Aquarium salt and epsom salt do two different things, so sometimes it is easy to confuse those two. Sorry the aquarium salt did not work out.

Good luck!

 

Hi,

Aquarium salt and epsom salt do two different things, so sometimes it is easy to confuse those two. Sorry the aquarium salt did not work out.

Good luck!

thanks!