Blind maroon clownfish

[TDesaulniers]

My female maroon went blind. It's more then obvious she has lost her eye sight. What should I do? I feel terrible for letting her live (slow starvation) and on the other hand I would hate to put her out of her misery. What's my best option.

 

[WaffleWalffle22]

How do you think she went blind?

 

[TDesaulniers]

I have no idea. It's really sad to see. What should I do guys?

 

[velvetelvis]

Does she actually appear to be suffering or starving? I'm pretty sure clownfishes can smell food, as well as see it; I know mine come racing to the front of the tank as soon as their food hits the water, even if they didn't see me coming with the container. If she isn't being out-competed by her tankmates, she may do fine. You also might could try shutting off the pumps and powerheads for a few minutes and then target-feeding her some mysis or other food with a turkey baster, so it reaches her directly, much as many aquarists do with mandarins and other slow feeders.

Unless your maroon has lost her sight due to an illness, parasite, infection, etc, that will eventually prove fatal, and/or she seems to actually be in distress, I don't see any reason to euthanize her. Can you post some pictures?

 

[SwampyBill]

+1^^^

 

[Bayliner]

I am curious as to how you would know it's blind ? I am not trying to second guess you as you know your fish and I am sure it is blind, just curious as to what behavior you are noticing that made you notice this. Is it swimming into things ? Could it just have bad eye site and not be blind ?

Just curious,
I hope you are able to keep her and care for her even under these conditions, but if not I can imagine how you feel and I am sure you will do what ever is best for the fish, otherwise you would have never taken this hobby up.....


Good Luck,
Cam

 

[velvetelvis]

Cyclopeez may also be a good food for your blind maroon, since it tends to stay in the water column for a while. And clownfish love it!

 

[deangelr]

quite the dilemma.. the energy cost of care for a blind fish obviously much higher, might not be worth the fish.

My blind dog recently passed away it went blind from cataracts and lived another 4 years. But dogs dont need sight to eat unassited.

 

[velvetelvis]

I don't think it's really that much trouble to pipe a bit of food to the fish...I don't see the point in killing an animal that may be perfectly healthy otherwise.

 

[TDesaulniers]

I think I jumped the gun here guys, but in a good way of course. I was overeactive when I saw her swimming aimlessly and not eating a few days ago. Now she seems just fine. She might have been sick because she certainly did have odd behavior the other day. As of now, I just fed her and she's back to her normal aggressive self, attacking my hand everytime it goes in the tank. No euthinization afterall.

 

[velvetelvis]

:celeb2: Glad to hear it!