popeye

[slitwin]

I noticed today that my hippo tang has popeye. I've had him for 2 years and I really hate to lose him. Is there anything I can do? I have a 75 Gallon reef tank so I'm not sure what I can put in the water.

Thanks.

 

[gooyferret]

Not much you can do unless you put him in a QT. Feed him food additives for ex: garlic extreme, or any other enhancement for his food will help.

 

[billsreef]

The two main causes are physical injury from bumping into something/fighting or parasites such as flukes. For a simple mechanical injury, just watch the fish close for a couple of days to see if it gets any better on it's own. If it doesn't start getting any better within a couple of days, or shows any signs of getting worse, you will need to remove the fish to a QT and treat with antibiotics. In the case of parasites, have you added any new fish in the past few weeks or so?

 

[slitwin]

Thanks for that advice. That's the weird thing, I haven't added anything new in the past few weeks. I am hoping he just bumped into something. I hate to pull him out and put him in QT because that will cause more stress to him, not to mention it's going to be tough trying to net him to get him out of the tank.

Thanks again.

 

[billsreef]

Considering how skittish Hippo Tangs tend to be, it's not unuasual for them to bang into a rock or something. Considering no recent additions, it's likely a simple injury. Odds are good it will heal on it's own, but watch close and be prepared to remove to a QT and treat with antibiotics if necessary.