Black Moor Eyes

Question
I'll certainly be sure to take your advice. I do have just one more question about the treatment though. If I were to use the maracyn would it bother the other fish in the tank (one female oranda), or should my moor be treated alone? Thanks for the help!
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Followup To

Question -
Hello,
I know this is supposed to be questions about the tanks themselves, however, all the other fish experts are maxed out. I have had black moor for about a year now. I have noticed that recently his eyes have become more enlarged. I'm not sure what's wrong. One eye even has a red vein starting to become more visable. He seems to be doing fine, but I just want to make sure that there is nothing wrong. Any advice?

Answer -
Dear Sara,
It certainly sounds like your Black moor could be suffering from poor water quality. Especially when you mentioned about the red vein in his eye. When red streaks appear on goldfish--that is a sign that the water quality is poor usually indicating ammonia or nitrites present. It also sounds certainly like your Black moor could have popeye which is a illness most often caused by water problems or bacterial infections. It actually can also be caused by a number of things like viruses or fungal infections.

For proper treatment it is essential to eliminate the actual cause in the first place. Insure the water is free of ammonia or nitrite readings and nitrate is 20 or less. Oftentimes, daily water changes of 50-60% for several days can often cure the problem in itself without medications. Always insure when doing water changes that the replacement water is equal in temp to that of your aquarium and insure the water is dechlorinated everytime with a good water conditioner like Amquelplus or Prime. Make sure the gravel is thoroughly vacummed and the filter is cleaned well. Insure to only clean the filter material in old tank water only to preserve the beneficial bacteria. Should this not work then antibiotics may be at hand. You may try Maracyn-two medication or a similiar product.

For now try to figure out if your water quality is the problem and try to do daily massive water changes and that also help cure the red streak in his eye as well.

I really hope this helps!
Fortunately Popeye usually doesn't cause the loss of fish. Feel free to write if you have anymore concerns and let me know how he is doing if you don't mind!!!

Best wishes,
Karen~

Answer
A big hello again Sara!
Like with most ill fish, it is much better to move them to a special 'hospital' tank where they can be treated specifically and the other healthy fish and the bacterial colonies will not be disturbed by the medication.

But definately try the water changing method and see how that helps before medicating.

Best wishes as always,
Karen~