Black Moor Goldfish Eye Injury: Popeye or Trauma?

Observation

Black Moor has one eye significantly larger than the other; smaller eye wobbles when swimming. Owner fears eye will fall off.

Diagnosis

• Popeye (exophthalmia): Enlarged eye from internal bacterial infection, poor water quality, or gas bubble disease. Hard to treat; antibiotics (Maracyn I & II) may help.
• Trauma: Injury from tank decor, net, or tankmate. Eye may be dislocated but rarely falls out.
• Asymmetry: Some Black Moors naturally have slightly uneven eyes.

Action Plan

1. Test water: pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate. Correct any issues.
2. Quarantine in clean, treated water with aquarium salt (1 tbsp/5 gal).
3. Antibiotics: Maracyn I (erythromycin) + Maracyn II (minocycline) per label.
4. MelaFix for external healing.
5. If eye pops out: Keep water pristine, salted, medicated. Fish can survive monocular.

Prognosis

Eye rarely falls off. If it does, socket heals. Survival good if infection controlled. Black Moors are prone to eye issues due to telescope morphology.