Any ideas of why a fish would suddenly (over a period of two days) go from normalcy to completely blind? I"ve got a Royal Gramma that was at the end of his QT that seems to be completely sightless now. It's eyes look okay. Been alone in QT so no aggression by tank mates. Can't figure this one out. Oh, and final question: Does anyone have any first or secondhand knowledge of a fish ever regaining its eyesight once it's been lost? TIA
Blindness
- Thread starter 64Ivy
- Start date
Any medications in the water? Chloroquine phosphate, by any chance?
There is a recent study which suggests blindness could be a possible side effect of CP: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734797/
There is a recent study which suggests blindness could be a possible side effect of CP: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734797/
carrots
New member
I had a small regal angelfish that after a couple of months in QT seem to lose it's sight. The tank was free of metro and prozi for a few weeks when I first noticed the fish having problems. It was use to coming to the upper corner and taking food from my fingers. This was the only way it was able to locate and eat food. Anything in the water column he just could not pinpoint and capture to eat. This condition lasted about a week or so and then the fish's eye sight returned and hasn't had this problem again. I hope you have the same luck with your fish.
ThRoewer
New member
In the 1970s and 1980s, sudden blindness of fish seemed to have been quite widespread among older and well-established fish. Speculation was that it may be caused by prolonged exposure to high nitrates and phosphates (and those could be really high in those days!) or possibly a late effect of the fish being caught with cyanides.
Bacterial infection of the optic nerve was also considered as a cause, and to me, that seems to be the most plausible cause.
But I would also not entirely rule out internal parasites.
BTW, flukes on the eyes could also impair a fish's eyesight.
Bacterial infection of the optic nerve was also considered as a cause, and to me, that seems to be the most plausible cause.
But I would also not entirely rule out internal parasites.
BTW, flukes on the eyes could also impair a fish's eyesight.
No CP. Just put him through the a 30 day copper treatment then a 14 day Metro/Kanaplex/Metro regimen dosed directly into the tank. This fish WAS previously attacked in the DT a couple months ago before going back into QT to be treated however. No cloudiness in the eyes so I doubt it's flukes. Good to hear of a fish restoring its vision though.
It's possible that blindness (permanent or temporary) can be a side effect of any medication you use. Just like with humans, there's always that 1 in a 1000 fish.
It's also possible this could be some kind of neurological problem. Unfortunately, I think the only thing you can do is wait & see if he recovers his eyesight. Putting him in an acclimation box (or smaller QT) so he has a more confined area to search for food might not be a bad idea.
It's also possible this could be some kind of neurological problem. Unfortunately, I think the only thing you can do is wait & see if he recovers his eyesight. Putting him in an acclimation box (or smaller QT) so he has a more confined area to search for food might not be a bad idea.
