Cloudy Eyes

Harpo · 01-21-2003, 11:16 PM

Hi, all.

This is the first time I have really had to deal with a sick fish, and was wondering what the proper treatment would be. Our pinktail trigger has one eye, that is starting to cloud up. So far there is no change in feeding habbits, or swimming, all seems normal other than the eye. What would be the best way to attack this? Your help is appreciated, thanks.

Harpo

Doug1 · 01-21-2003, 11:51 PM

Man . fish diseases is not my forte' Perhaps Jerel or Alice will jump in, Jenn, anyone?

MontanaRocknReefer · 01-22-2003, 03:31 AM

It sounds like your trigger has a parasite of some sort. My puffer had a cloudy eye and eventually it cleared up on it's own. I think I did a water change but that was about it. Triggers are quite hardy so maybe it will clear up in time. Hopefully others will have a better answer!

Spanky · 01-22-2003, 10:04 AM

Harpo

There's quite a few things that can cause this. Like Johnny said parasites, but also a scratch, water quality, heavy feeding and small cycles (bacteria problem), general bad health.

Try lowering your temp, feeding less, check all water params, and water changes.

Keep an eye on it, double check for parasites, improve water quality and keep us posted. Most of the time doing these things will clear it up.

Jerel

Harpo · 01-23-2003, 12:00 AM

Thanks, really appreciate your help. I was not looking forward to setting up any kind of hospital tank, they are such a pain in the @#$

. Thanks again,

Harpo

JennM · 01-23-2003, 08:08 AM

if it's trematodes (which often develop in eyes and gills) I use a FW bath to rid the fish of them.

5 minutes in fresh RO water, similar temp but I don't fuss with pH, and after about 2-3 minutes IF it's trematodes, you'll see them flake off the eyes and out the mouth and gills, they look like clear sesame seeds. Ususally the size of sesame seeds but I've seen them larger and smaller.

I do a 5 min dip ONCE daily until I stop seeing the trematodes come off during a dip.

Some garlic and/or vitamin C added to his food will help his immune system during this too, to help prevent re-infestation.

I've seen a few infestations lately in new arrivals, and have taken care of them this way. Tangs and angels seem to be the most vulnerable, but I have an undulated trigger that had 'em and is rid of them now.

HTH

Jenn

Harpo · 01-23-2003, 08:34 PM

JennM, thank you.
I have never heard of these critters before, but I am pretty sure that's not what he has. We have had this trigger for about a year now, and has always been very healthy, till now. Not that I believe he is unhealthy, just never a problem. We have been soaking all our food in garlic for about the past 2 weeks, and have seen a change in the problem our lunar wrasse had. The growth we saw on the gill is now gone

. Thanks again.

Bill

triggereel · 01-23-2003, 10:28 PM

Harpo

Take Jenns advice on giving the trigger a freshwater bath
You cannot always see these little parasites
I have givin fish a R/O bath and see the little white parasites
float off in fresh.

If i were u i would try giving the Trigger a bath

Garlic will not have a effect on this parasite also, this parasite stays for life if not treated

Just a warning ok

Harpo · 01-23-2003, 11:08 PM

OK, I'm convinced. Tomorrow after work, we will give it a go. Couple that with a nice water change, hopefully I can put this to rest. Is that something that free floats in the water, that the others could be effected by?

Bill

JennM · 01-24-2003, 07:06 AM

You've had the trigger over a year but have you introduced anything else into the tank recently? Something else could have brought 'em in.

The trematodes (and I'm not 100 % sure that's what it is, but based on your description that was my "educated guess".) Could also be a mechanical injury as mentioned above.

However, a FW bath won't hurt in any case. If nothing sloughs off, then eliminate that as a possible cause.

Trematodes are contageous, they are a parasite and will infect other fish, however if the fish is otherwise healthy and strong it can usually fend off a noticable infestation.

Jenn

triggereel · 01-24-2003, 05:34 PM

good luck Harpo
It will fall off, but it may take awhile
At first you see this little white speck on the eye lid when you put the fish into the R/O bath
then after about 10-30min it will fall off