Popeye & Ich - Emperor Angel

[Chris Moses]

Recently had an Ich outbreak in one of my show tanks, thanks to a Powder Blue I had been moving around. Should have gave him a proper quarantine, now I am paying the price.

I quarantined all the specimens yesterday with all the big fish in their own 20 gallon tanks using Coppersafe which I have had success with in the past.

My 8" Emperor was doing great last night, even gave it a good feeding about an hour after the move. Checked on it this morning and it had Popeye bad. The tank temperature was nearly 90 degrees F!!! The little heater I had set to 76 apparently just decided to never shut itself off overnight. It's unplugged now and the tank is beginning to gradually cool down.

So... I am assuming the massive temperature spike may have caused this eye embolism with my Angel or it could be a combination issue with the copper.

Is there any immediate action I could take? Is the fish in mortal danger right now? I have never seen Popeye on a Marine fish before.

Right now I just slowly lowering the temperature and hoping for the best.

What a fantastic fish it has been, I hope I don't lose it. Any advice would be appreciated. I will keep you posted.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[HumbleFish]

Is the "popeye" in one eye or both? Typically, one eye denotes an impact or injury - while both eyes means bacterial infection.

A secondary bacterial infection is common in fish with ich. A temp spike would aggravate an existing (slight) infection or lower a fish's immune system, making infection more likely.

 

[Chris Moses]

Is the "popeye" in one eye or both? Typically, one eye denotes an impact or injury - while both eyes means bacterial infection.

A secondary bacterial infection is common in fish with ich. A temp spike would aggravate an existing (slight) infection or lower a fish's immune system, making infection more likely.

It's in both eyes equally.

Should I give it some time to see what happens or should I treat it immediately? If yes on the immediate treatment, what should that treatment be?

Regards,
Chris

 

[HumbleFish]

Should I give it some time to see what happens or should I treat it immediately? If yes on the immediate treatment, what should that treatment be?

I wouldn't do anything until temp returns to 76. Then I would use a broad spectrum antibiotic in conjunction with Coppersafe. Furan-2 or Kanaplex (or I'm beginning to believe using both together is the best way to go). Erythromycin should also work.

Whichever antibiotic you use, be sure to increase gas exchange in the QT to compensate for O2 deprivation from all the medications.

 

[Chris Moses]

Unfortunately my Emperor got progressively worse by the minute and already passed away.



CM