Is there any hope for a blind fish?

[SereneAquatic]

We purchased a bristle tail file fish recently, and discovered that he seems to be blind. His eyes are a little milky.

He does eat if he smells food nearby, and keeps his nose in constant contact with sand, rock, walls, etc. I believe he has been surviving mostly on pods.

Other than blindness, he has no other apparent issues. No sign of popeye. After watching him now for a couple of weeks, we have placed him into an acclimation box in the tank. If I feed pellets into the box, he finds them once they hit the floor.

Is there any hope for a recovery? Can he be treated with something, or was the damage already done? Should I treat him prophylacticly in case he has a bacterial issue? If so, with what? Other fish in the tank are healthy and happy thus far. All of them were treated with Prazipro already.

Thanks for your help in advance!

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[PCguy21]

Baterial infection.. he isnt blind. His eyes are covered with an infection.

Itll go away on its own if the water is very clean. It could have been the prazi pro as well. Prazi will cause bacteria to bloom in a tank. I say just keep him happy keep the water clean and itll go away.. Ammonia spikes can do this too btw so make sure your ammonia is 0

 

[billdogg]

I had a Gymnothorax Undulatus (Undulated Moray) for 25 years. At about year 20 or so it developed what were almost certainly cataracts. It didn't slow him down a bit. It did make feeding time a bit more challenging however. He could smell it but not see it so fingers were always somewhat at risk...

I agree with the above - most likely a bacterial infection that should clear up soon.

 

[Uncle99]

Sign of poor water conditions

 

[SereneAquatic]

Thanks for the responses. I will continue to monitor him and keep the tank as clean as possible.

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[SereneAquatic]

Baterial infection.. he isnt blind. His eyes are covered with an infection.

Itll go away on its own if the water is very clean. It could have been the prazi pro as well. Prazi will cause bacteria to bloom in a tank. I say just keep him happy keep the water clean and itll go away.. Ammonia spikes can do this too btw so make sure your ammonia is 0

I agree with the above - most likely a bacterial infection that should clear up soon.

Sign of poor water conditions

Thank you all for the input, file fish (AKA "Biscuit") seems to have made a full recovery and is happily eating now. Still doesn't touch aipasia, but whatever. I still think he's cool. I have another file fish that eats it in a different tank. ("Corn Flake") I was hoping to have another who could help out when it springs up so we may trade Biscuit in hope of finding one who has a taste for it, but I rather like his pluck. Plus, he's old. Almost 3-4 inches in size. I might keep him and once we eradicate the aiptasia completely we can be more diligent about not letting it in the tank... though somehow it seems to find a way.

Anyway, thank you once more. You guys are always very helpful and knowledgeable. One less thing I need to ask about now in the future!