My beta fish is in a 10 gallon tank with about 5 other fish. Recently, it got a puffy eye. Why is this?????

Question

There is a filter, a heater, plants, gravel, hiding places and a background in the tank. All the other fish are great, but why is this happening? Should I change the water and clean everything???????? HELP ME!!!!! Or will it just die?????

Thank you to everybody who helped me!

Answer 1

I've found bettas are particularly susceptible to a disease called pop-eye (not to be confused with the sailor man). It tends to happen when the betta scratches his eye or someone else nips it, but can appear under any stressful conditions.

Anyway, I've found the most success treating pop-eye with a strong does of a product called Melafix. Be aware that you can't always save them; but if you catch it in time, you have at least a decent chance. The longer you wait, the more likely it is he'll die.

Best way to treat the betta would be to pull him out of the community tank so he's not subject to any more harassment and treat him in a separate tank - a smaller tank will help conserve medicine as well, but make sure it doesn't get too cold for the betta; their immune systems are compromised at lower temperatures. 78-80 degrees would be ideal.

Best of luck in saving him!

Answer 2

If it's just one eye on just one fish odds are good it's from a physical trauma to the eye. In other words he hit it or scratched it on something. Now, if the puffiness doesn't go away in a few days or if it gets cloudy looking then the damage has allowed some bacteria to set up an infection on his eye. A fuzzy look would indicate a fungus is infecting the area. If either one of these becomes the case you will want to treat him for the problem.

Fugus infections are very easy to treat with fungus medications from any pet store. I prefer Maroxy personally.

If it's a bacterial problem an antibiotic will be needed to clear up the infection. For external eye problems Maracyn 2 or Maracyn TC would be good choices.

MM

Answer 3

it could be a disease called popeye -- you can treat it with antibiotics.

i would do a 20% -25% water change and gravel vacuum. you should do these weekly anyway to keep your fish healthy and happy.

it could be eye trauma which usually fixes itself. i have betta with a buldgey eye -- i got him that way thinking he was sick and now a year later he still has a buldgey eye.

Answer 4

Sounds to me like your betta may have contracted a case of Popeye. Check out this site to diagnose your betta and find the corresponding treatment:

http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm

Answer 5

clean the tank