Blind Blue Spot Jawfish

[reefluv]

I have had my BSJ for almost 4 years and he has recently lost his vision. He will eat when I use a turkey baster but seams lost and scared. I don't know what to do. Should I catch him and put him out of his misery? So sad to watch. I wish I could do something for him.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Marshall O]

I had the same thing happen to mine. I had to spot feed it the last 6 months of its life. TBH, I don't think its "quality of life" was much worse off. It obviously had trouble navigating the tank, so it stayed in mostly the same area. I personally would not catch yours. Just keep spot feeding it. Obviously if things change and its conditions worsens considerably, I would reconsider euthanasia. But not at this point.

 

[Betta132]

Just give him a place with lots of sand and rockwork to protect him from things swimming overhead. He'll adjust after a little while and learn to use his lateral line to feel if things are near him. Just leave him alone, he'll be okay. Blind fish can do pretty well with special care, since they can feel things with their own personal vibration-sonar.
Any clue why he went blind? Is he just old?

 

[d-man]

How'd he go blind?

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

I had a blind firefish, and he had trouble navigating the tank if he left his little area. There was a sort of round cove of rocks that he stayed in usually. If he got lost, I'd herd him back. Targent feeding was the only way he could eat. Instead of a turkey baster, I used a disposable pipette, as they are smaller and easier to control.
I know it's a pain to target feed, but I hope you keep the little guy fed and cared for. He will stick around areas he knows, which is understandable. But I wouldn't euthanize just for this. When/if he stops eating, then it may be time to consider putting him down.

 

[reefluv]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure why he lost his vision. I'll continue to feed and care for him and see how it goes. I'm so bummed. I wish I could do more for him.

 

[jaketuff]

How has he been doing?