Pop-Eye. How Long???

[Dominican]

My square Anthia has had popeye in one eye for a few weeks now. I have lots of LR and can't catch him without tearing up the 150g tank. He's over the worst of it, since for about 2 weeks he wouldn't come out at all and I feared him dead, but now he comes out and swims around and eats normally. His eye is still HUGE. Shouldn't it start going down after some time? I read in some cases it makes their eye actually pop - causing them to lose it (or worse, death). But I also read that it can actually just go away with time. I don't know what I should do or expect. Any input is welcomed. Thanks..

[ErikH]

Double check your salinity and other levels. High salinity = more probability for infection, like popeye.

[aquasport24]

I would not try to catch him ,that just add more stress. It is a good sign that he still eating. Just make sure no other fish is picking on him....good luck.

[Dominican]

Erik, my SG's actually been sitting at 1.023 for a while, and the other day I resolved to dial it back up to 1.026. I really need to get a refractometer. I know 1.023 isn't particularly low, but can raising it aggravate his condition?

Giau, I never even considered trying to catch him. He's always been skittish to begin with, and has a hiding place so good that sometimes I wonder if he found a worm-hole down there somewhere.

[Joe31]

Treat your tank with Melafix.

[ErikH]

I would double check your water at an LFS. Usually if it's one eye, it's an aggravated scratch... It will more than likely lose sight in that eye, but if it's alive, that's a good thing.

[Marlin]

Try adding more magnesium to your tank. This always worked for me when a fish had popeye from fighting injuries. It must have some healing properties.

[troypt]

I had a square spot anthias develop pop-eye in one eye about 3-4 weeks ago. I did as much research as I could and everything I saw indicated that most likely if it is in 1 eye it is from injury, and in 2 eyes more sickness/infection. I tried to keep stress at a minimum and fed enriched foods and it cleared up in about 7-10 days. Fish is fine now.
Troy