I posted a bit ago that my oscar had developed popeye in it's damaged eye. I've kept on top of water conditions and treated for popeye. Yesterday I came down to find her floating on her side. I've treated for swimbladder but it's a 12 day treatment. This morning her eye that had stabalised is much worse. It's protruding by at least 1" and isn't far off the same diameter. For the 1st time since I've had she didn't eat yesterday.

Her health just seems to be going rapidly downhill and I don't know whether euthanising her might be better?

Sorry to hear about your fish. It sounds to me as if it probably has other underlying problems. Obviously we can only give you advice based on what you are telling us. What exactly are your water conditions? Nobody wants to be the one to tell you that you need to euthanize your fish, but if it isn't getting any better, and in fact it's getting worse and there doesn't seem to be anything you can do about it then maybe euthanizing it would be in its best interest. However, carry him with a treatment for the time being and see if it improves. I'm always reluctant to euthanize any fish if it is still eating, it's always nice to give them as much chance as possible. If it stops eating altogether and that is obviously not a good sign.

That's bad.
I hoped for some improvement and I understand your dilemma.

Just done a fresh water test.

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
Ph 7.2
H-Ph 7.4

Water temp is 27C
Filter: Fluval FX5
Weekly water change 50%
Tank size: 443 litres excluding filter water volume
Other tank mates appear to be in good health (dollars, severum, bichir & synodontis)

I have no problem euthanasing her as I don't want her to suffer which I can only imagine she must be right now? But I don't want to just go ahead and do it if others think she can be brought back to full health again from where she is now.

I've taken some pictures of her. I've not seen her on her side this morning so I'm wondering if it's not swim bladder and something else? I can't beleieve the 1st step of a 12 day treatment would work so quick.

My LFS has some young Oscars in at the moment approx 4" long. I'm not very confident that my existing Oscar is going to survive and was wondering whether I would have any problems aggression wise if I bought a young one now and put it in the same tank as my existing one?

Sorry about your fish... it is a nice looking fish. I can't offer you any advice because I'm a "virgin" when it comes to all this. Wanted to wish you good luck.

ViolentJ wrote:


I certainly wouldn't be thinking about getting any more fish just for the moment. That certainly looks like Popeye disease, if it isn't, then I don't know what's causing this. What have you been using to treat this, you can use a medication called "Myxazin", alternatively this treatment is often used for bacterial infections which Popeye is pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/search?p...plate_switch_search.

Unfortunately I'd be very surprised if the fish retains any sight in this eye, it looks very cloudy from what I can see. If the fish is still eating and behaving normally apart from the eye, hang in there, even if your fish loses an eye, it may still be okay, plenty of fish can exist with only one eye

I wouldn't risk your O getting spooked by the new O.
And I woudn't introduce a new fish in a tank that is still being treated with medicine.
I'd wait a bit with the new one.
btw your fish looks healthy to me, except for the eye.

OFL wrote:


I've been using Interpet No9 anti internal bacteria. It lists popeye treatment on the box.

I am really not sure what to suggest apart from seeking help from a professional. I just came across this website in the UK, I don't know whether they encourage the general public to contact them, however it may be well worth dropping them a quick message and see what they suggest, make sure that you give them information on what you have said on here if you do indeed go ahead and contact them

www.fishvetsociety.org.uk/

Thank you but it seems that it's for vets and the like and requires membership to join. I can't imagine that they'd give out information for free when normally it has to be paid for. I didn't actually know vets looked at fish to be honest. Knowing the price they charge for consultations I'm not sure that's a route I want to go down for a fish.

I'll leave off buying another Oscar then and see what happens with this one. At what point do I call it a day? I'm guessing thrashing around wouldn't be a good sign but not sure what else would be an indicator that it's time. If it does come to that what's the best way to euthanise a fish?