popped out eye

Question
One of my mollies looks as if her eye has "popped" out of the socket and a large bubble has formed and it's all red. What could this be? Can I fix it?

Answer
Hi Marisol
Sounds like it's popeye.  Popeye is more of a symptom then an actual disease.  It can have several causes, but the most common being from poor water quality.  If you're the same person that posted a few days ago about high nitrites, that could be the cause of it.  

First, test your water parameters, if the ammonia and nitrites are 0, and nitrates are under 20, then I'd start with an antibiotic-see below.  If there are still nitrites in the water, you need to get those under control.  Do a large water change, do about 40%.  Keep checking the water parameters, and watch the fish to see if it's starting to get better with the water changes.  If so, then just keep up with the water changes until the parameters are good.  Then keep doing weekly water changes of about 20-25% to maintain good levels.

Also try lowering the water level in the tank.  Too much nitrogen in the water, can cause the equivalent of "the bends" (what scuba divers get) in fish.  This would cause an air bubble behind the fish's eye causing it to bulge out.  Decreasing the water level will cause a greater water agitation from the filter output, which in turn causes gas exchange to take place.   

If it doesn't show any improvement after a few days with the water changes & the lower water level, and if the fish is still eating, feed it some anti bacterial/antibiotic food-available at most pet stores.  If it's not eating, you're best bet is to treat the water with an antibiotic.  I believe Maracyn 2  will treat it.  You could also give the fish an epsom salt bath.  Best bet is to use a bucket, and put some tank water in it.  Add 1/8 teaspoon for every 5 gallons and soak the fish in it for about 30 minutes.  Don't use any other salt in the tank, epsom salt is good for drawing out the fluids in the body.  

Also watch out for the fish to develop dropsy, where the body swells up, and the fins take on a pinecone appearance.  It's basically the same thing/cause as the above, just the popeye further progressing.  Hopefully you've caught it in time.  The eye might be lost, and the fish may end up blind, but they can still survive with one eye.

Good luck, and let me know if I can help any further!!

Christy