Causes
Bacterial infection: usually one eye affected, often combined with cloudy cornea.
Trauma: fish hit décor or got into a fight. One eye, no other symptoms.
Internal pressure from kidney issues (related to dropsy).
Treatment by Cause
Bacterial: Kanaplex or Furan-2 in quarantine. 7-10 day course. Improve water quality.
Trauma: clean water, reduce stress, time. Eye usually retracts in 1-2 weeks.
Kidney/dropsy: Epsom salt + Kanaplex, but prognosis is poor.
- ✦Always quarantine for treatment — antibiotics affect biological filter
- ✦Keep water pristine — bacterial pop-eye often returns in dirty tanks
- ✦Soft sinking foods reduce eating strain on swollen-eyed fish
Recovery Time
Mild cases: 3-7 days for visible improvement.
Severe cases: 2-3 weeks. Eye may scar or remain partially affected.
Prevention
Good water quality, low stress, no aggressive tank mates, and rounded décor (no sharp rocks) prevent most cases.