Discus - Cloudy Eye

[freerunner416]

My wife noticed that my largest discus has one eye that is slightly cloudy last night. Its eye was bright and clear earlier in the week. He is still the tank bully and is eating like he wants to burst. Is there something wrong with him?

What should i treat him with?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Craig

 

[Colin_T]

Cloudy eyes are usually caused by poor water quality or bacterial infections. Sometimes they occur if the fish scratches its eye and these often clear up by themselves in a day or two.
Check the water quality and make sure the filter and gravel are clean. Possibly do some daily water changes and gravel cleans for a week. This often helps clear the problem up without medication.
If the problem gets worse over the next day or two you will need to treat the fish with something like "Waterlife Protozin or Myxazin".

 

[WILDER]

I agree with colin.
Cloudy eye is a symtom of a desease not a desease in its own right.
Causes.
Bad water quality.
Stress.
Old age.
Irratation.
Bad diet.
Parasites.
Bacterial.

 

[duncs]

Can be associated with high amounts of chlorine.. maybe your water company have increased the level of chlorine in your water.

I'd recommend some adequately-dosed dechlorinated partial water changes over the next few days, or if you have it available, some water changes with majority RO water (make sure you use some tap water too for buffering purposes).

20% every other day for the next week wouldn't hurt Let us know how you get on.

 

[rabbut]

I'd surgest laying off the meds for now, and simply bump the temperature up a little What temperature do you run the system at? Below 28-29c discus become more suseptible to worm and protozoan infections, the latter fits your description to some extent. I have found that about 75% of issues with discus go away simply be increasing the temperature. I push mine to 34c whenever I see an issue and leave it there a week before dropping it again. Increase airation before doing this to ensure there aren't issues there, and be careful with other tank mates.
In the wild discus often tollerate temperatures in excess of 37c, so 34 for them is nothing The increase in temp IME often tips the ballence in their favor on a short-term basis.
What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH? Hardness may also be useful to know. Also, where are these fish from? Are they asian stock (typical in an LFS), wild caught fish or european bred? I realy don't advise medicating untill you get a deffinate diagnosis. IME 50% of issues are benine with discus.
Also, do you have a microscope available? If so, I'll walk you through a swab test to get a full diagnosis, should the fish get bad enough to warrent such action. I don't see this being needed at this stage though

All the best
Rabbut

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

My Big Blue Diamond has both cloudy. and I think it is due to old age. Someone had brought him into my LFS and I picked em' up.

 

[freerunner416]

Well i posted this topic and then did a 50% water change and then added wormer as well. I have been away for the weekend and have come back to his eye being completely fine again. The water stats were all showing fine before and after so i am not sure what it was that sorted it out. They were due for a worming but not sure if that could have caused it. Thanks for all your help.

Craig

 

[LosC519]

That's good news.

 

[freerunner416]

thanks Losc!!! I am really chuffed that he seems to be ok again!