Pet Information > ASK Experts > Pet Fish > Freshwater Aquarium > My fishs eyes

My fishs eyes

25 9:20:24

Question
I just cleaned my tank a week ago.  I have had this tank for about 5 years with the same fish.  i did the same thing I do everytime I clean the tank.  But just yesterday both eyes of one of my fishes are swelling.  It looks like they are going to pop off!  All of the levels in my tank are normal, the only thing I did different is add a bubble rod.  Why could his eyes be doing this?  Is he going to die!  Lose an eye or two in this case!  Oh yeah he is a texas chichlid.  I really don't like this fish but I feel bad because I know he is in pain.  What can I do to help him?

Wendy

Answer
Hi Wendy;

Poor fella. Protruding eyes is an indication of pressure behind the eyes. sometimes it is fluid buildup, injury causing inflammation, or a growth inside the fish. If it has been rather quick to develop, I would suspect fluid buildup from possible infection or from injury.

You might want to isolate him and treat him for infection first. There are two medications you can try. "Kanacyn" by Aquatronics and "Maracyn 2" by Mardel. These are the only two that actually absorb inside the fish to get to the infection. Others only treat the outside of the fish. Raise his water temperature to 80 degrees. This will also help kill the infection if that is what's ailing him.

Hope he feels better soon.......

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

Come on over and join us on the freshwater fish forum at About.com to get even more information too;
http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/questionsanswers/a/naavigateforum.htm