Cardinal Tetra With Popeye ! :(

So this morning before work I noticed a Cardinal with bulging eyes. Unfortunately I was just off to work so couldn't do anything until I got home this evening.

First thing I did was check water parameters.

Ammonia and Nitrites are 0 and Nitrate is normal at about 30ppm

The Cardinal is swimming strangely and his eyes are still bulging. I think the end is near.

I wonder if it was the same one that was a bit odd during quarantine, hiding away from the rest of the shoal, however he's been in the main tank for a few weeks now and had seemed fine.

I have a couple of questions:

I have no Clove Oil - is there another suitable method of dispatch I can consider? I hate to admit but looking at him I don't think he has long left and probably not worth setting up the hospital tank for.

Is it advisable to dose the main tank with eSHa 2000 as a preventative?

I'm afraid, as I don't know the cause, that without preventative treatment the rest of the shoal might start displaying symptoms. Or should I just wait and see?

I always think it's worth trying to save a fish - some can make complete turnarounds, and, irrespective of size or cost, they're still a living being which we have a 'duty of care' towards.

I hope you don't think I was being heartless. I'm just being realistic when I say I don't think he'll make it.

He's currently in a breeding trap, in the main tank, so i can keep an eye on him. I've given some crushed cooked pea but I'm not sure if he's eaten any.

I would rather save him, of course, but my hospital/QT tank is needed this weekend for a new shoal of CPDs.
This plan might change though if things change with the poorly Cardinal this evening.

I couldn't settle at work today worrying about him and his tankmates.

You could use a plastic tub as a QT but you would need to do lots of water changes as it won't have a filter.

...

Thanks Sue I hadn't considered that. What at temperature? Would leaving it at room temperature be plausible? It's still mild here (touch wood)

I hope you don't think I was being heartless. I'm just being realistic when I say I don't think he'll make it.
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No worries.

Re temperature, before I bought the QT and when I had my HRs quarantining in the spare tank, I put a fish in a tub at room temperature (ie mid-20s in June), with a towel wrapped taut (to prevent it dipping in) over the top (to keep it dark and keep the heat in) and the temperature remained at that level more or less.

I really hope he pulls through. Good luck!

Sorry to hear that. You did the best you could.