Unresolved popeye

[Pepere]

I have a male American Flag fish that has had two bouts of one sided popeye.

 

the first resolved itself within a week.  Then several months passed and it developed popeye again on one side.  No I dont remember if prior episode was same eye.

Both times I removed fish to a treatment tank and dosed with Maracyn to prevent secondary infection suspecting an eye injury.

 

this second time, while the swelling reduced it has not fully resolved. I repeated course of Maracyn, and then tried 2 courses of Maracyn 2 to no resolution.

Tank has been cleared of meds and have tried salt. Starting at 3 tablespoons in 10 gallons, increasing to 5 tbsp in 10 gallons after 2 weeks and raisin to 1 tbsp per gallon after another 2 weeks.

 

2 weeks later, still no resolution…

 

I have started water changing out the salt.

He swims around fine, doesnt hide, does not seem in distress, but maybe depressed from being in isolation.  Eats well when fed…

 

What do you think should be done going forward?

[Colu]

On 8/21/2023 at 12:59 PM, Pepere said:

I have a male American Flag fish that has had two bouts of one sided popeye.

 

the first resolved itself within a week.  Then several months passed and it developed popeye again on one side.  No I dont remember if prior episode was same eye.

Both times I removed fish to a treatment tank and dosed with Maracyn to prevent secondary infection suspecting an eye injury.

 

this second time, while the swelling reduced it has not fully resolved. I repeated course of Maracyn, and then tried 2 courses of Maracyn 2 to no resolution.

Tank has been cleared of meds and have tried salt. Starting at 3 tablespoons in 10 gallons, increasing to 5 tbsp in 10 gallons after 2 weeks and raisin to 1 tbsp per gallon after another 2 weeks.

 

2 weeks later, still no resolution…

 

I have started water changing out the salt.

He swims around fine, doesnt hide, does not seem in distress, but maybe depressed from being in isolation.  Eats well when fed…

 

What do you think should be done going forward?

I wouldn't do any further treatment I would just monitor for now if it's an injury the damage could be permanent it can take a long time for eye injuries to heal 

[Pepere]

On 8/21/2023 at 8:39 AM, Colu said:

I would just monitor for now if it's an injury the damage could be permanent it can take a long time for eye injuries to heal 

Would you keep him in isolation tank till it resolves?   We are approaching 3 month mark.

 

 Could this be a permanent deformity?

Edited August 21 by Pepere

[Colu]

On 8/21/2023 at 2:36 PM, Pepere said:

Would you keep him in isolation tank till it resolves?   We are approaching 3 month mark.

 

 Could this be a permanent deformity?

As it's been going on for that length of time it's more than likely a permanent injury I would return him to the main tank and monitor him 

[nabokovfan87]

I think one last ditch effort might be to see if food is causing any lingering issues.  It's rare, but it can be from fat deposits around the eye area putting pressure on the eye.

something like IAL/Catappa leaves would be perfectly safe to add to that QT tank and just give the fish ~2 weeks to see if you notice any changes.  Because of the recent treatments, give him a week of a normal tank, after the major WCs are done you can add in the botanicals and feed regularly.  Following that little bit of recovery time, hold back food for 7 days and see if you notice any changes at all.  In the meantime, see if the feeding regime is causing any of the issues you're seeing.  It may be as subtle as feeding multiple dry foods as opposed to one, but it's difficult to say what could be the cause.

Hoping for the best for you and the fish @Pepere