regal tang with swollen eyes

[karun]

I just came home and found my regal tang has swollen eyes. In the morning one eye looked slightly swollen and he was scratching himself against the rocks. There are no other visible marks/white spots/discoloration. Now both eyes are quite swollen and slightly cloudy. All water parameters are okay. All other fish are fine. I have not added any new fish/inverts in two months.

What should I do? Should I try to remove him to a quarantine tank? and treat him with some specific medication. Or wait and see if things improve. I will stop feeding for 2 days also.

Karun

[djheywood]

Sounds like popeye. It can happen from a trauma (usually only one eye) or an infection. Do not stop feeding! The fish needs to stay healthy. Feed a good food like formula 1 frozen or VHP (Very High Protein) soaked in a vitamin like selcon. The most important thing is to keep the fish eating and healthy. Don't skip the soaking! If it doesn't fix the problem in a few days then you can try to quarrantine and medicate, but that is going to be very stressful on the fish.

Best of luck.

Brian