Pop eye on Orbic

[Hierhess]

I have an Orbic Bat fish in a 75 gallon fish only tank. His left eye is swollen and will not go down, I am afraid that it may pop. I have been told that it is due to the saturation level of gases in the water, but I don't know how take care of it. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and/or how to fix it.

[OrionGirl]

Pop eye can be the result of several things (this is the first time dissolved gas has been blamed). Usually, either a bacterial infection or water conditions. If you've tested your water and ammonia/nitrites are 0 and nitrates are low, then I'd suspect a bacterial infection. Could be the fish damaged the eye--swimming into something, or another fish could easily cause a wound which would get infected. I'd put the guy in a hospital tank and treat with anitbiotics.

If it is water conditions--lots of water changes, get that water quality back up.

By the way--in case you're curious, dissolved gas can be removed by increasing the water agitation. Any kind of trickly filter or bubbler would do. If you have surface movement, I just don't see how anything could build up to the point of causing a problem--certainly not pop eye.

[Dale W.]

Batfish are notorious for injuring themselves when darting in the aquarium. Especially if it is a larger batfish. being that it is only one eye, I would guess that might be the case. Look for any redness in the eye that may be a sign of injury from hemoraging. As Orion mentioned, it is a good idea to do some water changes either way to minimize the possibility of infection.

[Hierhess]

Thank you for the info. I have not seen any redness in the eye. All that I can see in air bubbles under the outer layer on the eye. The fish acts fine, and eats very well. However, the nitrates are high. I have had that problem since an ice storm last year and I didn't properly clean the tank after the catasrophic death. But, the air in the fish's is fairly recent and he has been in the tank for around a year. I just haven't seen any change in the condition of his eye and it has been about a month.

[Dale W.]

Yep, High nitrates can cause a problem as such. What do you have for system set up? Maybe we can find a way to reduce the nitrates. How often and how much water are you changing?

[Hierhess]

It is a 75 gal. with chrushed coral substrate, Mellinium 3000, Seaclone skimmer, and UV sterilizer. I have a 48" 110w power compact for lighting with 50/50 bulbs. I have been changing 10% to 15% every two weeks. I set the tank up with and only use RO/DI water.

[BrianH]

How often do you vacuum the crushed coral and change the media in the millenium?
Brian

[Hierhess]

I vaccum the substrate each time I change water. And I only use carbon in the Mellinium for a couple of days each month. I have also been running nitrate sponge in the Mellinium and changing it every two days.

[Hierhess]

Thank you all for the information. I am treating the Orbic with antibiotics and hope to see him get well soon.