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Popeye

Common Name: Popeye
Scientific Name: Exophthalmia
Description: Symptom of infection
Symptoms: swelling and protrusion of one or both eyes
Cause: bacterial, viral or parasitic
Medications: Maracyn, Melafix Bacterial Remedy
Ingredients: Erythromycin, Minocycline, Tetracycline
Notes: none

Popeye, also called exophthalmia is a symptom, not a disease in itself and has many possible causes. Popeye is characteristically diagnosed by the swelling or protrusion of one or both eyes.

Curing popeye can be difficult if the source is unknown. The origin can range from bacterial, viral, parasitic or as an effect of fish tuberculosis. It’s often impossible to determine which has infected a given fish. Answers may lie in other symptoms. When you first notice popeye it’s best to observe your sick fish and other tankmates for other signs of disease that may offer a clue. For example, if the popeye is accompanied by redness under the scales you may deduce that the source is bacterial. There is no sure way to determine the cause and your best guess may be all you have.

Generally when the origin is unknown aquarists begin by treating with a broad-spectrum antibiotic like Tetracycline or a combination of gram-positive and gram-negative antibiotics like

Mardel’s Maracyn or Melafix Bacterial Remedy that contain Erythromycin and Minocycline respectively.

Photo by Frank Gruber

Exophthalmia itself is not contagious but the infection that caused it may be so it’s best to treat any sick fish in a hospital tank away from other healthy tankmates. The original infection is most commonly caused by poor

water quality and measure to improve the tank water should be taken immediately. Poor water quality does is not usually obvious to the naked eye. Your water may seem to be clean in appearance but there could be toxins present like ammonia, nitrite and elevated nitrate levels. The only way to determine the presence of these toxins is to test with the appropriate water test kits. Other stressors may have contributed to the infection like fluctuating temperature or pH or harassment from other tankmates.

To avoid diseases like popeye, keep up with your water changes, frequently test your water and never introduce new fish to the tank without first quarantining them in a separate tank for 3 – 4 weeks before exposing them to healthy fish.

The lasting effects of popeye vary from a full recovery to cloudy, swollen or even a missing eye. It’s not believed that these effects inhibit the quality of life for the fish. Even in the case of a missing eye, the fish can live a full and normal life. If your fish looses his eye be sure to keep your water very clean to avoid any further infection while the socket is healing.

  • Antibiotic resistance is a problem facing aquarists all over the world. This occurs when bacteria evolve to make newer, stronger strains that cannot be combated by available antibiotics. To avoid creating tougher strains of bacteria be sure to carefully follow the directions on the medicine package and to never stop or change medications part way through treatment unless your betta is having a dangerous reaction to them. As with any disease, remove your sick fishfrom the community tank and isolate him for treatment in a hospital tank. Never medicate healthy fish.


View Comments (36)

  • Thanks Christie happy reading your article but I’ve a pair of Blue veiled angels, a year old, one of which has a slight bulge on his left eye. they are both beautiful though ….. there seems to be no visible marks bloody spots or even any markings of an infection. i love my fish so much… i usually don’t regularly change water but top it up with fresh water. therefore i now realise that i need to change water atleast 20% of my 25 gallon tank.

  • I have a beta thats just over a year old (to the sellers best guess) A few days ago I noticed a small patch of scales above his left eye that seemed to be lighter than the rest. It was almost time for me to do a water change so I did one immediately hoping that the problem would correct itself. It hasn’t and now there seems to be a slight bulge on his left eye. He is somewhat more lethargic than usual but still pretty active for the most part. Does this sound like it could be popeye, or something else? What should I do? PLEASE HELP!!
    ~Very Worried Fish Mom

    • If the eye is bulging, then it probably is Popeye. The discolored scales is unusual and doesn’t sound alike a symptom of Popeye, that I know of. Have you tested the water to see if there is anything environmental that may be bothering him?

  • I spoke with my local tropical fish store owner I explained in more detail all of Fin’s symptoms, he said to him it sounded like a bacterial infection. I purchased the food to treat a bacterial infection he also suggested that I use about 1 teaspoon per gallon. Before I did as he suggested with the salt I did some research and everything I read supported his suggestions. I did as he suggested and Fin seems to be doing better already, however I did have some questions about the salt treatment. How often do you add the salt, and does it just filter out? Thanks sooo much for all your help!

    • Salt does not filter out of water. The only way it can be removed is to do a water change. If you continue to redose without first removing the old water, it will accumulate and could become a health hazard for your fish.

  • Is it possible for the popeye to go away on it’s own, once the environmental problems are alleviated (if that is the cause)? I just rescued another male and his selling cup conditions were very poor, which I’m thinking maybe be the cause. I have now introduced him to a balanced tank. Do you think I should wait a day or two before treating him with the medications? Thanks.

  • I bought a Betta Fish on October 22 ,2011 and I think my betta fish Goldie is sick. The first 3 weeks, he was beautiful, healthy, and he eats his food. But around these 2,3 or 4 days he lies in the bottom of the tank and do nothing. Well I do know he is alive because his gills are moving. Every once in a while I would lift his bowl up and he would go to the surface and come back down. Another problem is that his tails are closed! He stills eat though. Please help me and reply. You can tell me what to do with Goldie and what kind of disease he has.

  • Hi, I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with my Betta. There’s a white ring framing each of his eye. Is it pop eye? His eyes don’t seem to be bulging so I’m not sure if it’s mild pop eye. He seems to be healthy otherwise. Thanks in advance for the insight. Love your site~

  • my sweet little boy had popeye, was treated and was doing fine. Now he is not eating and not swimming around unless I distrub him. I tryed the bottle water and the amonia comtent is high, I treat the faucet water get it ok, and within a few days the amonia is high again. I heat his tank and was filtering his water, but was told not to because it would make him upset. I am going crazy, I don’t know what to do for him now. I think his eyes are ok, they are not flat against his head, but look normal I think. Can you please suggest where I should go from here. thanks

  • My betta has popeye, and has had it for a few months. We’ve tried a few different treatments, but nothing has worked. Now, part of his underside is bloated. It looks too far forward to be his belly, it’s right behind his head. I have no idea what’s going on. Help please? I’m getting so desperate.

    • Your betta may be constipated? You were right from the start: A betta’s tummy is right behind his head, ‘under’ his eyes. Try not feeding him for 1 or 2 days. This is not harmful to him, even if he is not constipated. It might just solve the problem. When its time for his next water change, do the normal 100% change but remove the gravel. That way you can watch to see if he is pooping or not. I’ve had bettas for 10 years, and have had several
      become constipated they are just prone to it. Mostly from
      overfeeding. If he is not pooping, cook a frozen pea until cooked. Cool completely, and pinch off all the pea skin. Break it into pieces, and feed to betta. If he eats it, then watch and see what happens. This can help their tummies. If any pea is left over after 24 hours, remove it or it will foul their water. Good luck!

      • Oh sorry! I didn’t see how old your message was! How did your betta fare?
        If you ever see those symptoms again of swollen tummy/funny swimming, try the above advice.

  • My sister decided that keeping up with her Betta (Squirmy) was too much work, so I took him off her hands. In the few months I have had him he developed Popeye. I purchased Mela-Fix and gave him the proper dosage for about 3 weeks. His eyes look normal, but now instead of red and blue he has turned red and grey. I change his water once a week. He lives in a fish bowl, but was moved from a 1.5 gallon tank about a week ago. Should I be worried? Does he need more medicine?

  • I wouldn’t keep any betta in a bowl it loses too much heat energy… I would keep a betta in one of the 2.5 gal hex tanks from petco (or larger) with some sort of heater…
    My wife has a 2.5 gal hex tank on her desk and it’s beautiful and the fish loves it and can hold some plants and small rock/coral for it to hide in
    Jordan

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