Could my BN be blind

[seangee]

Have suspected for some time this might be the case as he is quite clumsy and often crashes into plants, sometimes uprooting them. He is also not the slightest bit bothered when I put my hand in the tank, even to move him out of the way. I have had him since 2004 when he arrived in my letter box only a few mm long. Its actually helpful in keeping the tank clean as he does a great job of disturbing the sand.

He is often first out of the blocks at late night feeding time which is when I feed the bottom feeders. Tonight was shrimp pellets which is his absolute favourite. While I was watching he emerged from his driftwood hideout and performed an unceremonious belly flop, directly onto a troupe of sids who were squabbling over a shrimp pellet. He doesn't have a malicious bone in his body and is quite happy to let the corys burrow under him to find food or use his body as a temporary cave wall.

Not planning to do anything about it as he is no danger to his tankmates and seems to be in good health, so just curious...

 

[Jeremy180]

Not sure if this indicates blindness or not.
In any case, I think he would have sensed your hand with his lateral line, blind or not.

 

[Colin_T]

He is a nocturnal fish and most nocturnal fish have poor eyesight.

Does he have white patches or cataracts on his eyes?
If no, then he is probably fine.

Bristlenose are not renown for their gracefulness and are pretty much like bulldozers and just go wherever they want. The fact he finds food easily would suggest there is not much to worry about.