Mild popeye?

[elijahfeathers]

Hi there guys! I just brought home a gorgiouls copper PK named Mercury. I noticed at the store that he had a mild case of Popeye, but I still decided to take him home anyway, as he was quite the cute little fish.

I've never actually treated popeye before. I read that 2 tsp/gal AQ Salt should clear it up, and so I'm slowly alcimating him to the AQ Salt. Just wanted to make sure I get this right, and also that I know what I need if I find that the AQ salt doesn't help. Also wondering, how long does popeye normally take to treat?


Housing
What size is your tank? 2.5 gallons
What temperature is your tank? 76 degrees
Does your tank have a filter? No
Does your tank have an air stone or other type of aeration? No
Is your tank heated? Yes
What tank mates does your betta fish live with? None

Food
What type of food do you feed your betta fish? Frozen Bloodworms, pellets
How often do you feed your betta fish? 1-2 times a day

Maintenance
How often do you perform a water change? 1 50% every three days followed by 1 100% every other three days. (So 50% then 100% then 50% ect)
What percentage of the water do you change when you perform a water change? See above
What type of additives do you add to the water when you perform a water change? For this guy, prime, nutrafin betta water condition with IAL extract, and AQ Salt

Water Parameters:
Have you tested your water? If so, what are the following parameters?
Nope.

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH:
Hardness:
Alkalinity:

Symptoms and Treatment
How has your betta fish's appearance changed? N/A / On eye is very slightly larger than the other.
How has your betta fish's behavior changed? N/A - Fish is very active
When did you start noticing the symptoms? When I was purchasing him in store
Have you started treating your fish? If so, how? 1 tsp Aq salt in his 2.5 gal atm, going to be slowly bumping it up to 2 tsp/gal over time
Does your fish have any history of being ill? Purchsed three days ago with mild popeye
How old is your fish (approximately)? N/A

[bahamut285]

Popeye is generally caused by fluid buildup. Use EPSOM SALT, not Aquarium salt. I hope he gets well soon!

"AQ for the outside, ES for the inside"

[elijahfeathers]

Thanks. I don't have an espom salts on me atm, but I can probably get some in a day or two. I'm not sure if he's just developing the illness or if he had it and it's getting better.

Since I don't have Espom salt atm should I continue with the AQ salt treatment until I can get it, then switch over?

Also wondering what the correct Espom salt/gal dosage would be. C:

[youlovegnats]

Let him have a break in between salt treatments before starting the E-salt. So, stop the AQ salt until you get E-salt. Then you can start treatment for the popeye with Epsom. :)

Good luck!

[elijahfeathers]

Alright. It may be a few days until i can get out to buy Espom Salt, so for the first couple days here I'll just leave the 1 tsp in that I added, and change it out durring the next water change.

I'm also hoping just him not being in a cup will help it out. *sigh* He is such a pretty boy. lol

[bahamut285]

You should be able to get some at a drugstore, they're used as human laxatives, lol.

I think, since it is mild, 1 teaspoon/gallon should be okay :D

[youlovegnats]

You were doing daily 100% water changes while doing the AQ treatment right?
Finish up with the 1tsp today and then do a 100% change tomorrow, then leave him in just clean water until you can get the Epsom salt. :)

[elijahfeathers]

I snapped some pics of him. I'm delighted to learn that Merc is a fan of cameras. I also just want to document the size so I can comapire to future pics and make sure it's going down. He's got a lot of pigment over both eyes, but he's still able to see.

[elijahfeathers]

Also to answer I'd started him befor eI made this thread. I'd been cup QTing him over a day and very slowly adjusting him to the water here (since I just got him home). I go this 2.5 set up so he's in that now with the treated water. I'll phase the salt out with 75% wcs. I know it's a bit more wasteful to treat the 2.5 gallon as a whole, however I work late often so I prefer the saftey net as it were with the size.

[youlovegnats]

You could actually use the cup he came in for treatment and have him floating in the 2.5 to keep him warm. :)