Chalk bass- eye is bubbly!

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by special juice, Jan 27, 2014.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. special juice

    special juice Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
    Messages:
    225
    I just noticed this afternoon that my chalk bass has some sort of infection in one eye. The eye is slightly swollen and as you can see in the photo, there are bubbles on the edge. I have had this fish for 2 years with no issues. It currently resides in my 240g. FOWLR tank. Water parameters are as follows:

    Salinity: 1.023
    Temp: 78f
    pH: 8.1
    Alk: 10
    Ammonia: 0
    Nitrites: 0
    Nitrates 10

    Should I attempt to remove the fish and treat in my hospital tank? (It may be impossible to catch.) If I can get it out and into QT, what medication should I use. Should I be concerned about my other fish, who all look fine at the moment? Thanks for any suggestions!
    Chalk bass.jpg
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. special juice

    special juice Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
    Messages:
    225
    Just did some research. Could it be gas bubble disease?
     
  4. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,660
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    I've never seen that before. I'll be interested to see what it is. I'm sorry I don't know :(
     
  5. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Port Charlotte, FL
    have seen gas bubble disease in seahorses but not fish and it did not look like that and was on the body not concentrated in the eye. I would think more line of popeye but never seen the air bubbles on the side like that. However you did say the eye itself is bulging correct?

    Once other possibility is something happened, do any other fish chase it?
     
  6. special juice

    special juice Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
    Messages:
    225
    The eye is slightly bulging and it looks like there is a bit of blood near the bubbles. I haven't seen any other fish bothering it.

    Should I I go ahead and try to move it to quarantine?
     
  7. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Port Charlotte, FL
    I would give it till the weekend myself(before deciding to remove), blood around it sounds to me like it may have ran into something or somehow hit it. Less stress for all fish involved.. 240 that would be one heck of a battle to get it.

    Your params seem to be good.

    Try some garlic on food also.
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. special juice

    special juice Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
    Messages:
    225
    I agree. Thank you for your good advice, Chris. I already use garlic-guard and selcon regularly. So, I guess I'll just continue doing what I'm doing and wish for the best
     
  10. special juice

    special juice Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2013
    Messages:
    225
    Here's an update on the Chalk bass. The day after my original post I did a 60 gal. water change just to ensure that my water quality was great (I normally do 30 gal. once a week.) This morning, the fish's condition has improved dramatically. The bubbles are gone and there is just some reddening around the eye.
     
  11. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2008
    Messages:
    1,828
    Location:
    Port Charlotte, FL
    that's great to hear. I am sure you will keep a close watch on it for the next few weeks.

    I was hoping you would post with an update.