Popeye?

[Auratus]

I bought this female from Petco about a week or so ago and when I went to check out I saw her eye but figured I'd take her anyway. The thing is, it's only one eye like this and it has this white stick type thing sticking out with prongs on the end. Is this popeye or does she have something stuck? If so, what do I do to get it out? I've been using maracyn-two, melafix, and salt but nothing has helped so far. She's eating and acting normally.

Sorry about the picture quality, she always hides

 

[D Chia]

Hi Auratus,

That white stick type thingy is a fluke parasite. Fluke parasites attach themselves to the fish's membranes (e.g. eye, skin, gills), causing swelling and inflammation.

You'll need to treat your fish with an antiparasitic (e.g. Sterazin).

Edit: Correction. It's an anchor worm, also a parasite. Apologies.