Swordtail fish are a type of freshwater fish that you may find in almost any Aquarium. They are a disease-free species that rarely contract diseases. However, we frequently observe swordtails with protruding eyes. But what causes the bulging eye of a swordtail fish? What is Popeye in swordtail fish?
Popeye disease is a condition that affects swordtail fish’s eyes and is characterized by bulging in the eyes. Although the reason for this ailment has yet to be discovered, there are numerous treatments available to aid in its cure. Water modifications and salt application are commonly used in these therapies.
There is also a recovery prognosis for Popeye, which we shall discuss in further detail later in this blog post.
Why Is My Swordtail Fish’s Eye Bulging?
One of their eyes has a vast, dark mark on it, or it appears bloated, and the eye may be cloudy. That’s why many people confuse Popeye with Dropsy, yet the two disorders are very distinct and require different treatments. Your fish may grow blind in that bulging eye if not appropriately treated at this early stage due to increased pressure inside its bodily cavity—parasites, heavy metals, or illnesses that promote fluid buildup in the body cavity cause dropsy.
It can treat dropsy by correcting water conditions and adding one teaspoon of Epsom salt per five gallons of water to your Aquarium. Cleaner fish, such as shrimp may also aid in the removal of parasites or hazardous poisons that can cause issues.
What Is Popeye?
This is a sign in which one or both of your fish’s eyes bulge owing to fluid buildup in their body cavity caused by an infection, injury, or another sickness. If a professional aquarium service is not appropriately addressed, the internal pressure might cause severe damage and blindness.
Signs Of Popeye Disease In Swordtail Fish
Is one of your fish’s eyes protruding and a dark spot visible on it? This is the most common indication that your swordtail has a popeye. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Sedentary behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Bulging eyes
- One of the fish’s eyes has a noticeable swelling around it.
- Loss in scale condition
- Rapid gill movement due to stress from high ammonia levels, etc.
Unilateral And Bilateral Popeye
There are two types of Popeye that your fish can suffer from. Let’s see what these types are and what the differences between them are:
Unilateral Popeye
When only one of your fish’s eyes is afflicted by the disease, it’s known as the unilateral pop eye. It usually begins as a bit of protrusion, but it will get larger over time if not treated appropriately. Unilateral pop eye in your swordtail might occur due to bad genetics or normal wear and tear.
When the eye on only one side of your fish bulges out, and there are no other visible indicators of disease, this is known as unilateral Popeye. An accident, poor water quality, or a genetic abnormality causes this type of Popeye to develop over six to eight weeks. It eliminates waste from the fish’s body cavity without causing pain.
Bilateral Popeye
Both eyeballs protrude out due to an infection or injury that causes fluid buildup in the fish’s body cavity, which is bilateral Popeye. If one of your fish’s eyes begins to bulge, add one teaspoon of Epsom salt per five gallons of water to assist relieve the discomfort and remove any parasites or toxins that may be present.
When both of your fish’s eyeballs protrude out, it’s usually a sign that the illness has traveled throughout the body; otherwise, it would only affect one eye at a time, as it does with unilateral Popeye. The side of their face opposite their bulging eyes will likewise appear deflated.
Causes Of Popeye In Swordtail Fish
Popeye is a condition in which a fish’s eye swells. Poor water conditions or co-infection with another sickness, such as bacterial infections from “red leg” and columnaris, are the most common causes. Pop-eye can, however, be produced by genetic abnormalities in the fish in some situations.
The following are the most common causes of Popeye in swordtail fish:
- Concerns about water quality (e.g., ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate toxicity; low dissolved oxygen)
- Infections caused by bacteria (such as columnaris and “red leg”)
- Inadequate filtration with an overabundance of fish in an aquarium or pond
- Genetic abnormalities (rare in fish, generally only observed in goldfish — but can also occur in platies.)
- Nutritionally deficient foods
- Physical damage or injury to the eye
- Overcrowded Aquarium, etc.
The Treatment of Popeye
It’s unlikely that you’ll need to treat your Popeye. Any underlying problems that are causing this problem, on the other hand, should be discovered and treated – usually with the assistance of a veterinarian who specializes in fish medicine.
You can treat swordtail fish Popeye in a variety of methods, including:
Performing Water Changes
If you perform daily water changes (50 percent or more) and pay attention to your Aquarium’s water quality, most instances will improve on their own within two to three weeks.
Infected Swordtail Fish in Quarantine
Place the diseased fish in a separate tank after detecting and treating any underlying issues to help prevent the disease from spreading to other aquarium occupants. Pop-eye is very contagious and can transmit from one fish to the next through water contact.
Using Salt
Adding 0.15 percent – or 15 grams per liter – aquarium salt (sodium chloride) will help prevent secondary infections and ease discomfort, but only. At the same time, the ill fish will still be able to eat. Salt will not assist if your swordtail fish’s Popeye has progressed to the point that it can no longer swallow.
In situations of Popeye, Epsom salts are also beneficial. They contain Magnesium which can help to ease swelling.
Swordtail Fish Popeye Prognosis
Swordtail fish Popeye is a dangerous condition that can be fatal if not treated appropriately. Despite therapeutic efforts, fish that you keep untreated for an extended period will most likely die. Still, it should not take this long if you take the right course of action immediately after noticing signs of Popeye, such as bulging eyes and protruding scales around one eye.
Popeye is commonly caused by bacterial infection, but an eye injury can also cause it. When this happens, the fish will have one bulging or protruding eye that appears to be about to burst. However, if you catch Popeye early and start treating it right away, your fish could recover entirely in a few weeks.
However, there are times when it goes too far, and the only option is to euthanize the fish.
Is Popeye Serious?
Popeye is a severe problem in swordtail fish. It can kill you in 48 hours if you don’t get treatment right away. As a result, treatment must begin as soon as feasible to maintain a high likelihood of life.
It’s difficult to predict how long your fish’s pop eye condition will recover, mainly if you haven’t determined the source of the infection. Unfortunately, treatment can be costly and time-consuming, necessitating a great deal of patience.
FAQs
Will MELAFIX Cure Popeye?
No, Melafix won’t cure the Popeye. It is not a disease-curing drug but rather one that heals the skin after an accident or surgery. As a result, if your fish has got this illness, antibiotics, you must use salt to treat it.
Is My Swordtail Fish Blind?
Is it possible for swordtails to become blind? Yes. Pop-eye, bad water conditions, injury to the front eye, or old age could all cause your swordtail fish to go blind.
Your swordtails will start swimming erratically and bump into other tank objects or the tank glass if they are blind.
Conclusion
Finally, Popeye is a severe disease in swordtails that a variety of circumstances can cause. If you suspect Popeye in your swordtail fish, the best thing to do is confine it right away and monitor its behavior.
As soon as possible, begin treatment. If you don’t know what’s causing your fish’s illness, isolate it before treating it with antibiotics and salt to avoid infecting other fish in your aquarium or pond. The sooner you begin therapy for Popeye, the more likely your fish is to recover.