clown with pop-eye

[robb]

I have my clown in a hospital tank treating him with Maracyn-Two. He has been in treatment since the 20th of Nov. I started out with Furazone-Light but seemed to do little. Beth told me to get the M-2, which worked well for a little bit. The eye was looking pretty good for a day or two, then all of a sudden his eye started to swell again. I started doing frequent water changes and doubling the dose of M-2. His eye seems to be almost normal now. I know his eye may be permanently messed up so how do I know when it is safe to remove the medication?

 

[beth]

I would say that the bacterial infectious componet of the disease is addressed at this point. The treatment course has exceeded 2 weeks, and really exceeded what is normal for treating fish. Good job, Robb.
I'd go ahead & discontinue the treatment at this point. This fish, will likely ALWAYS be vulnerable in this eye. I'd say that addressing fish stress issues and nutrition will hopefully go along way in keeping the fish from having a resurgence of the disease. Even so, the fish will remain vulnerable, as it now has a permanently abnormal eye.
As you terminate the antibiotics, feed the fish with garlic soaked food several times a week for the meantime. Garlic, though use mostly for ick, it does have antibiotic qualities to it as well. Additionally, add Zoe and/or Zoecon to your fish's food.
Good luck!

 

[beth]

If this fish has not had the full dose treatment of M2, then do complete this as Terry said. I thought you were saying that he had been being treating now for in excess of 2 wks, and, as I remember our exchange of emails on the matter, that is how I remember it.
M2 for 5 days, which can be repeated for an additional 5 days. If you have already done this, however, I don't think it serves much purpose to continue treating.
Now my question to Terry would be this. M2 for SW fish is made at the DOUBLE dose of its FW counterpart. The SW M2 contains 20mgs of Minocycline; the FW counterpart contains 10. I believe that Mardel Labs has already compensated for the requesite double dose for marine fish in their marine M2, therefore, telling hobbyists to double the SW dose, may, in fact be a triple dose recommendation. Do you have insight or input on this?
I think I might do some research on the matter, unless you know the ans already. Let us know.

 

[robb]

I did treat for the whole cycle and it was with double doses. Last night I put a carbon pack in and did another water change. This morning the water is clear and the fish is eating well. He came up right away for his food. His eye looks good, you can hardly tell it was messed up. I will leave him in the H. tank for a few weeks just to make sure he doesn't have a relapse. Again I thank you for your help Beth.

 

[beth]

You're right. I did check both packages, SW and FW. The FW says 1 tab [10mg] per 10gal, and the SW says 1 tab [20mgs] per 20gal. So nothing has changed.