Red Eye Tetra - pop eye

**phatchuck** · 12-24-2012, 03:29 PM

My male red-eye tetra had what looked liked a mild case of pop eye a couple of weeks ago. After a couple of days the eye went back in a little bit and he seemed fine. It was still out just a little bit, but not nearly as much as before.

This morning I noticed it was out so far it looks like it's about to literally fall out. Looks like he is in a cartoon. He wasn't swimming much and I don't think he ate when I fed everybody.

Is this bad news? Any way to treat?

**imma24** · 12-24-2012, 04:02 PM

Have you recently tested your water parameters and what are they? Ammonia, nitrites & nitrates

How large is your tank and what do you have in there besides that fish - types of fish & how many of each

Is your tank cycled?

**phatchuck** · 12-24-2012, 04:17 PM

55g planted tank - recently finished cycling or at the very end. Last readings amm- 0-.25, Trites - 0, trates - 10. 6 danios, 2 paradise, 1 dwarf gourami, 1 guppy, 2 red eyes, 2 pictus cats, 2 mystery snails.

No other fish has showed signs of pop eye or any bacterial issues.

**imma24** · 12-24-2012, 05:38 PM

How long has this fish been in your tank and why the reading for ammonia?

Have you recently cleaned your filter or replaced any media?

How often do you change your water and how much at a time?

**fishmommie** · 12-24-2012, 07:48 PM

Don't want to muddy the water so this is just food for thought: 1 gourami and 2 paradise fish. All 3 very territorial and fighters. In my experience a paradise fish can be relentlessly mean if he decides on a target. This is probably not your situation but are you sure the tetra is not injured?

In the meantime Andrea is asking good questions. Would be especially interested in knowing how often you do water changes and what percent of water you change. Good clean water will often make all the difference.

Good luck!

**Goes to 11!** · 12-24-2012, 08:08 PM

Paradise fish are gourami.

One eye pop-eye is very likely to be an injury but maintaining pristine water conditions is going to be essential to help it to heal if you do not currently have a QT tank.

**fishmommie** · 12-24-2012, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by 850R

Paradise fish are gourami.
which was my point - all Labyrinth fish. all potentially fighters. all in the same tank. not a good mix

One eye pop-eye is very likely to be an injury but maintaining pristine water conditions is going to be essential to help it to heal if you do not currently have a QT tank.

++........

**phatchuck** · 12-24-2012, 11:29 PM

The tetra was one of the first fish I put in the tank about 8 weeks ago. Did an in-fish cycle with Nutrafin Cycle. The ammonia levels have been between 0 - .25 with no nitrates for several weeks and nitrates are now steady at about 10. I have been doing about 20% water changes every other week. I was told not to do this too much with the in-fish cycle.

The paradise fish (one male and one female) get along fine with the dwarf G. I see no evidence of fighting at all. I have plants, a man made cave and a piece of driftwood that has a cave-like center. There seems to be enough territory and hiding places for them to feel secure and not fight over territory. In fact, the tetras show no fear at all to any of the other fish. the paradise fish and dwarf G basically ignore them and don't push them out if they swim in their vicinity.

Should I be doing more frequent PWC's now that the cycle is ending? I also have diatoms which I understand signify the end of cycling.

**eltylT** · 12-25-2012, 10:48 AM

I would think you need to change 25gallons a week . Just my 2 cents worth . Plus rinse your media in old water from the tank . Good luck and Merry Christmas .

**imma24** · 12-25-2012, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by phatchuck

The tetra was one of the first fish I put in the tank about 8 weeks ago. Did an in-fish cycle with Nutrafin Cycle. The ammonia levels have been between 0 - .25 with no nitrates for several weeks and nitrates are now steady at about 10. I have been doing about 20% water changes every other week. I was told not to do this too much with the in-fish cycle.

Unfortunately you were misinformed - it is really important to change more than 20% as often as necessary - it depends upon your ammonia level - which is why it is so important to test your water parameters at least 1-2 times per week. The level of ammonia will tell you how often to change the water and it is recommended to change at least 50% WEEKLY.

Should I be doing more frequent PWC's now that the cycle is ending? I also have diatoms which I understand signify the end of cycling.

Diatoms do not signal the ending of cycling - you are at the end when you have the following water parameters: -0 ammonia, 0 nitrites & 20 or less nitrates. Diatoms are simply a type of algae common in new tanks.
Please see my comments in red