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swordtail bloody eye

23 16:10:13

Question
I just noticed one of my swordtails has a bulging eye that is full of blood.  It was in a 55 gal with 3 other swords, 2 pearl guoramis, 2 (territorial) angels, 3 emerald cats,  a 4 line cat, and 3 mystery snails.  None of the other fish are showing any signs of disease or stress, so I am assuming that it is the result of an injury.  I put her in a breeder trap in my 10 gal (it has a dozen or so babies), after a major water change and treated with maracyn 2.  She did eat, but she can't see out of the (injured) eye.  Do you have any other ideas about a possible cause or treatment for her?

Answer
Hi Christine:  I would treat the swordtail for pop-eye. You can use any of the over-the-fish-counter medications that list pop eye on its label.  Pop-eye is usually a bacterial infection.  Do not use malafix or primafix.  General cure would be my recommendation.  dave