CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Hi,
  I have an oscar that has pop-eye and is hardly eating, its colours are becoming very drab and its not as active as it normally has been. I have changed and tested my water, my external filter is working fine and I have been treating with Melafix but can see no improvement, if anything it seems to be getting worse. Any advice would be most welcome. Thank you in advance for any responses. Martin.

mm, size of tank?
any tankmates?
are you using dechlorinator or any extra chemicals other than the melafix?

Popeye is a sign of a dirty tank/filter.. do more in regard to your water changes as in %  to your gallons of your tank.. Oscars are very messy eaters and WEEKLY tank cleanings, vacuuming the gravel and cleaning the filter is a MUST!! IF you are not going this weekly, then that is why the Oscar is sick.. Usually a good tank/filter  cleaning is all you need to do to help him out... ONE thing thou, you do NOT want to do is change out MORE than 1/2 of your tank water at one time!! This is not nescessay and may make your tank recycle some..

IF he is not eating then dont' feed him.. ONCE you clean the tank/filter, he wil come around and want to eat.. THAT may take a day or two.. HE wont' starve..

IF you want to use some meds, then do Melafix and primafix together for 7 days AFTER YOU CLEAN THIS TANK/FILTER... This wil kill out  the bacteria in the eye and help it clear up faster.. THIS IS A 7 DAY DAILY TREATMENT PER BOTTLE, so be aware of that and buy enough to treat the tank with....

As Barb has pointed out, Popeye is not a disease in itself. Popeye is a symptom of a problem. However Popeye is not limited to only a dirty tank.  Popeye is a buildup of fluid behind the eye. It can be caused by injury, poor tank maintenance, gas bubble disease (supersaturated of nitrogen in the water), poor food, or feeding regiment, some parasites, and bacteria and it can also have viral causes. Unfortunately its a cure by trial of elimination of what may be the cause. Now for the good news, Popeye is generally not fatal, even if the fish loses the eye. Still however the underlying problem must be found, to stop the problem. So first look to your tank, then to feeding, next, did you do a major water change before the problem occurred (gas bubble disease). Try and be methodical about the hows and whys, this should help determine the cause.