red spot in my black moor eye .

Question
QUESTION: we did a water change in our tank today . and when everything was done . we noticed that our black moor had a red spot in his eye . i called the fish store and they said it probably will die of Popeye . i have no clue what Popeye is . i have taken him out and placed him in a 5kg bucket . he seems to be swimming fine i don't know what to do .. and i don't want him to die .. please help .

ANSWER: Hello Nakita,
Popeye in itself is not a disease but is more a symptom of an infection. The eye bulges out in this manner because of fluids are build up, either behind the eye or in the eye itself. The first signs you will notice is that one or even both eyes are starting to bulge. Slowly with time it can bulge to such an extent that the fish will look really shocking with the bulge.
The bulging eye may have a thin layer of 'skin' around it, this is a tough tissue that covers the eye keeping it in the socket and as the eye bulges it stretches the 'skin' with it. The fish may also get less active and show no interest in food. Fungus infections can show up afterwards.
If this disease is not detected soon after it is caught the fish can lose one or both of its eyes and its eye sight. Any impact the eye might be subjected to generally as a result of fighting, can cause this. If its one eye chances are it's injury, if its both then it is possibly a bacterial infection. Bad water quality is a common reason enough to be the cause. High nitrates/nitrites, ammonia, metal/plastic poisoning.
The affected fish should be immediately taken out to be separately treated, Because it's difficult to specify a specific treatment unless the main cause is identified. Large amounts of daily water changes should help, if not Epsom salts has been used with good results to draw the fluid out. One tablespoon per 5 gallons of water for at least three days, longer if necessary. Epsom salts isn't really salt (sodium chloride) it is Magnesium Sulfate. If water quality is the problem, a 50[Half] percent water change must be made ASAP.

You can get a pH reader to see the levels of nitrite/nitrate/ammonia. If the water readings are wrong (high nitrates etc), a 50 percent water change is recommended again and 15-20 percent water changes 3-5 times per week, until the water readings are correct. Overstocking is a common problem for high water readings. Another common reason would be decaying dead fish and fish food. The tank should be thoroughly searched for any dead fish and precautions must be taken NOT TO OVER FEED, and if the tank is overstocked, steps should be taken in finding some of your fish another good home. If a bacterial infection is the cause we would recommend 'Maracyn', 'Maracyn II', 'eSHa 2000' and 'Anti-internal bacteria' for treatment. Also try the Tetra LifeGuard & API Stress Coat+/Zyme+ so your fish won't feel stressed out. Follow the given instructions before using theses items.
Hope this helps!
~Sam



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QUESTION: thanks Sam .
we did take him out for a day and then we put in back in ..my ammonia is a big high but were doing water changes like every day .. my fish is swimming around great and eats well . so im wonder if by chance the red spot in his eye will go away and the eye is swollen up . im pretty sure it was in injury to the eye from when we did the water change because he really like the vac we use . also can i put Epson salt in with my other fish or will that hurt them i don't have another  tank to keep my black moor in and what we had him in wasn't bigenougth for him to stay in .  my fish are really big ..  i was told by the pet store that my other fish will pick on him is that true ? and if so should a get a screen to keep them away .. i really don't know the first thing about taking care of fish these are my first ones .i just don't want them to die :(  so info from you is great i not to sure about the pet store info ..
also do U know anything about tropical fish .. ?

ANSWER: Hello Nakita,
Yes I am know lots about tropical fish. If you have scaleless fish, don't add the Epsom salt because it will "sting" them. Other fish may attack/nip your Blackmoor like when a fish dies, other fish begin to eat it up. Having a screen to separate them is a great idea because it eliminates the option of buying a quarantine tank.
Hope this helps! :D
~Sam
PS Feel free to ask a follow up! :)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: your awesome .
i also have a black and orange color shark and a ghost knife fish in my other tank . since we brougth them home from the pet store they havent eaten . they told me to buy bottomfeeder pellets . but they dont go near those and they also told me to feed them some flake food . but they dont eat that either .what should i try ? .. when the light is on thier not active at all but when the light is turned off the come out a bit more . is that normal  
thanks for you time

i feel like a bother . but uve really help answer my questions hope to hear back soon

Answer
Hello Nakita,
No you are not a bother, so don't worry! :D
You can try feeding Brine Shrimp or Blood Worms which you can buy @ your local petstore. Ghost Knifefish need places to hide and swim through. So buying a hiding rock or a fake see plant with big leaves will do. Ghost Knifefish are nocturnal so they are more active at night so it is normal.
Hope this helps! :D
~Sam