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Percula9,

Please don't over-simplify cases like this. Not all instances of exopthalmus are caused by bacterial disease. Those that are are often internal, so adding antibiotics to the water would be useless, it would need to be in the food.

The first question to ask is are one or both eyes involved? The next question is are the eyes cloudy? Thirdly, you need to know if bubbles can be seen in the sclera. Based on the answers, you can make a better diagnosis.

Here are some causes of exopthalmus:

mechanical injury
supersaturation
Mycobacteriosis


JHemdal
 
A picture would help. If only one eye is involved its like an injury with related bacterial infection. Sometimes they will go away on its own if the fish's immune system is adequate ... sometimes they need help with an antibiotic which should be administrered in a QT. In many cases a double dose of maracyn 2 (often available at Petsmarts/Petco's) is an OK antibiotic .. occasionally a a stronger antibiotic is necessary.
 
kevin2000,

Why not wait until bulldog comes back with more information? Why just parrot percula9's limited advice?

Also, why would you suggest somebody double a manufacturer's dose? If it doesn't work, pick a different product....especially in cases outside of your personal control. Telling somebody to change the manufacturer's instructions by a factor of 2 seems risky to me.

JHemdal
 
You rarely ever see supersaturation in a fish tank. Supersaturation causes gas bubble disease. Mechanical injury is the most likely cause of exopthalmia in ornamental fish. As for Mycobacteriosis, have you ever seen a case of fish tuberculosis in ornamentals. Why don't we start doing histological slides on the fish and send them to the lab. Instead of spending time using this forum to bash other peoples opinions, why don't you try to help the person making the query.
 
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Percula9,

We frequently see supersaturation in aquariums. All it takes is for a person to forget to top their sump up, and if the pump is powerful enough, when it catches air, the tank can supersaturate. Leaking fittings can also cause it. There is also an issue with supersaturated tap water in northern latitudes in the winter, but that is too complicated to describe here (Hemdal 2006). The gas bubbles come out of solution behind the eye and exopthalmus results. Myco is HUGELY common in aquarium fish -
I have no idea what you meant about sending histo samples out, but that and culturing is what you need to do to positively diagnose it.
I was not bashing you, I was pointing out that you have a habit of giving overly short replies to what can be complex issues.

As for my helping bulldog - my first post gave the follow-up questions, and he/she hasn't responded. I can't help until then.

JHemdal
 
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