Betta Fish Popeye: How To Treat, Prevent And Spot It!
Perhaps in the healthiest aquarium, fish can be injured or become ill. Popeye is one of these ailments. Popeye in betta fish may be a scary sight, and owners frequently wonder if it can kill the fish. Figuring out what causes betta popeye can help aquarists find the best treatment for the fish and keep it healthy in the big scheme of things.
Popeye illness occurs when a fish’s eye grows and bulges out of its socket. Cloudy eyes are another possibility. Popeye’s illness can cause a fish’s eyesight to deteriorate or potentially result in the loss of one eye if left untreated. Infection, injury, and poor water quality are all potential causes of fish popeye. Popeye in fish can typically be treated, although the therapy varies on the reason.
The great news is that the chances of you misdiagnosing Popeye in your betta are small. There’s more good news: with proper treatment, Popeye in betta fish can be completely healed! Continue reading to find out how to deal with it. What causes it, how to stop it, and so much more!
What is Betta’s Popeye Disease?
Exophthalmia, often known as Popeye illness, is a condition in which a fish’s eye swells and protrudes unnaturally from its socket. Protruding eyeballs are common in some aquarium fish, such as black moor goldfish and telescope-eye goldfish; this is not the same as popeye illness. Popeye in fish can damage one or both eyes. In certain situations, the fish’s eyes may seem hazy.
What causes this? Because popeye isn’t always the same, it’s advisable to keep an eye on your betta fish and seek additional stress or sickness indicators if you notice it. Identifying the cause of the popeye can aid in the rapid discovery of a remedy and resolution of the issue.
If not treated, popeye can develop other health problems, such as an eye rupture and blindness, and may finally kill the fish.
What makes Popeye Tick? Causes of Popeye
Popeye can be caused by a variety of factors, and the exact underlying disease is sometimes never identified. Fish popeye is most usually caused by an injury, an illness, or poor aquarium water conditions.
If a single eye is harmed (unilateral), the problem is most likely due to an injury rather than a chemical imbalance in the water. If only one fish in a communal tank has popeye, this is especially true. A bulging eye might be the result of a struggle with another fish, or it could be the result of your fish scraping its eye against an abrasive object in the tank.
Look for damage to the eye if this happens, since this is a dead giveaway that Exophthalmia is the consequence of an accident. The bulging eye will usually fade away when the injury heals. However, the fish should be regularly observed since infection can lead to the loss of sight in the damaged eye.
Infection is yet another cause of popeye. This is almost certainly visible in both eyes. Bacteria, fungi, and parasites are among the species that can cause infection. The outlook is dismal if the fish has both popeye and dropsy. Internal issues like renal failure or a metabolic disorder might cause fluid build-up, making it difficult to cure your fish.
Popeye may also be caused by bad water conditions, with delicate fish being the first to be afflicted. If one or more of the fish in your tank has popeye, check the chemistry of the water to see if something is wrong. Consider the gas supersaturation in the water, which may be seen as small bubbles on the aquarium’s surfaces and even in the skin of the fish. This can cause gas to build up in the eyes, causing them to bulge.
Identifying Popeye Disease in-Tank Fish
To determine fish popeye, no diagnostic tests or procedures are utilized. Instead, the typical symptom of bulging eyes on a fish not particularly developed for this feature can be used to identify it.
What are the signs and symptoms of Popeye’s Disease?
Apart from the most obvious sign, your fish may be suffering from Popeye disease.
1. Eyes That Pop Out
Popeye’s most visible sign is one or both eyes popping out. You can be sure your betta is suffering from Popeye if you witness this sign alone. As previously said, one or both eyes may be protruding, and you must address each situation individually.
2. Eyes Changed Color
Your betta’s eyes may change color in addition to bursting out. They may appear foggy or milky (when the cornea has burst), but they may also appear bloodstained. Physical aggressiveness is frequently accompanied by a bloodstained eye.
3. The Eyes Have A White Ring Around Them
This is something to keep an eye out for early on, and if you do, you might be able to cure Popeye before his eye pops out. If your betta’s eye has a white ring around it, you should start treating it for Popeye.
Other Illness Symptoms
When his Popeye is infected, your betta will display some of the common symptoms of the disease. You will experience a lack of energy and a loss of appetite. He may also appear to stay in one spot more frequently and avoid other fish.
How do you treat a Betta with a Popeye Infection?
The underlying cause of the popeye will determine the treatment. If the eye is wounded, it will usually recover on its own if the fish does not get agitated or acquire a secondary illness. While the eye recovers, you can provide palliative care to the fish by applying aquarium salt (unless contraindicated). This aids in the reduction of edema. Any tank decorations that might cause more injury, including as rough or sharp pebbles, pointed plants, and ornamental items with rough or pointed edges, should be removed.
Regular water changes and water chemistry monitoring are also suggested throughout the recovery period. Poor water quality is a major cause of popeye and other fish illnesses. If water tests reveal a problem, such as a lowered pH or excessive ammonia or nitrite, address it immediately to minimize further stress.
To avoid infecting other fish, any fish with a bacterial illness should be transferred to a quarantine tank. To clear the illness, give this fish a broad-spectrum antibiotic indicated by your pet supplier or veterinarian. If more than one fish is ill, antibiotics may be required for the main tank as well. To ensure robust immune systems, all fish should be fed a high-quality diet.
The Prognosis For Betta Fish With Popeye Infection
Fortunately, your fish is likely to make a full recovery if you take action to repair or eliminate the source of the popeye illness, especially if the condition was caused by an accident. If an infection or water imbalance is the cause, your fish may lose the afflicted eye or succumb to stress or illness if not treated swiftly.
Can a Popeye infection kill Betta?
If a betta has Popeye, they are unlikely to die from the disease alone. It’s fairly unusual for the betta’s eyes to become so injured that they rot away, yet the betta still lives. It may be more difficult to feed them if this occurs, but they can still live.
Bettas, on the other hand, will die from the diseases that cause Popeye. If your betta is in poor water and already has Popeye, it is more prone to get additional diseases.
Dropsy-causing infections are more likely to infect your fish, which is nearly always deadly. While Popeye himself is unlikely to harm your betta, the illnesses that ensue if nothing is done would.
Is it infectious to be in Betta? Is the Disease Contagious?
Popeye, like the last question, is not infectious. It’s doubtful that any other fish would capture Popeye if you removed a betta with Popeye from your tank and put it in a tank with excellent water conditions. If one of your fish has Popeye, the others are more likely to acquire it as well. Because the viruses that cause Popeye flourish in arid environments. Popeye isn’t contagious, but he can infect other fish that reside in contaminated water.
How can Popeye be Prevented in Betta?
Because popeye can be caused by a variety of factors, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. If the tank is kept clean, partial water changes are performed on a regular basis, and the fish are fed nutritious food, Popeye’s chances of striking are greatly decreased. Keep an eye on the tank water chemistry and watch for sickness indicators in your fish on a regular basis to help tip the scales in your favor. If basic care is diligently performed, Popeye is unlikely to occur. Even if it does happen, it is unlikely to be fatal.
The Bottom Line on Betta Fish Popeye
To summarize, the good news is that your betta still has a fighting shot if he has Popeye. But you’ll have to make some adjustments to ensure his survival. Here are the most crucial points to keep in mind. When your betta’s eyes protrude from its face, it’s called Popeye. Physical trauma or diseases can cause it.
If it just affects one eye, it’s most likely due to an injury; however, if it affects both eyes, it’s most likely due to an infection. If you want to cure Popeye, you must first determine if his illness is caused by a physical injury or an infection.
To avoid Popeye, make sure you get rid of everything that might harm your betta, such as plastic plants. If it’s caused by illness, make sure your tank’s water conditions are perfect. Bettas seldom die from Popeye however if it’s because of poor water quality, then something else may damage them.
Popeye isn’t infectious, but if it’s caused by an illness, the same water conditions that create it will most likely harm your other fish.
