Recurrent mild POPEYE

[tjudy]

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I have a female pelvicachromis who has a mild recurrent case of popeye that I cannot get rid of. It is not a bad case: only one eye and it is only really noticeable if you see her head on and can compare both eyes. I have treated with an assortment of different antibiotics. No matter what I use the condition returns within a couple weeks. I know that popeye is a manifestation of what is likely a systemic infection. I am wondering what other people do for popeye that is successful.

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[Randall]

Popeye

Dear Ted,

Yes, "popeye" is believed to be caused by a bacterial infection. I'm puzzled as to why your antibiotic treatments aren't proving effective in the long term. I've found three doses of a proprietary Neomycin Sulfate-Sulfa blend, available commercially, applied over five days, followed by a partial water change on the seventh, to be effective. Strict attention to water quality may also prove helpful.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[tjudy]

I treat it... it goes away... it comes back. I am going to ramp up the water change schedule and see if that makes a difference. The tank is a 33 long, heavily planted and filtered with a powerhead driven hydro-sponge 3. It does receive CO2. Water hardness is tap (about 400 ppm TDS around here). The CO2 keeps the pH around 6.2 (but it fluxuates a bit...).

Thanks Randall.

 

[Randall]

Bacterial Infections

Dear Ted,

Jack Watley preaches a slow and gradual lowering of pH over time, to disrupt bacterial life cycles. He's had much success with this approach on his Discus.

Have you a means of filtering your tap water? 400ppm TDS sounds quite high for a wild Pelvicachromis species.

Randall Kohn

 

[tjudy]

All my other tanks are getting healthy allotments of R/O. With this pair I am sticking to the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' cliche. They spawn regularly and readily... and there seems to be a normal sex ratio in the offspring. I have tested the tap water for the hardness. The tank is very well planted and maay be lower in hardness.

How low can you go on pH? I have had some westies pretty darn low. These are Pel. sp. aff. pulcher, and I have never sent the pH way down. I may try it in conjunction with another round of antibiotics though.

Thanks