Female Cockatoos in Hospital Tank

[FoundMoney]

I'm not quite sure where to post this because my situation begs a number of questions, but I'll try to break it down as much as possible.

I have two female cockatoo cichlids that both developed problems with their eyes. They're currently in a bare bones (no substrate or decorations) 5.5 gallon tank. I've tried medicating them with a number of different medications, for parasites, gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial infections. After treating them for gram-positive bacterial infections they seem to have more life. The cloudy, swollen eyes are gone for the most part except that one fish is left with a little white ball in the center of her eye. Judging by their feeding behavior, I think it's pretty safe to say both fish are blind or near blind.

Here's the question: what should I do with these fish? I'm afraid that if I put them in my main tank they will be bullied and have a tough time getting food. I can't imagine them having a very "happy" life.

Of course, spending their time in a 5.5 gallon hospital tank can't be very much fun, either. Should I just leave them in the hospital tank? I want to use it as a quarantine tank when I bring in new fish. Will this be alright?

 

[pnyklr3]

If they are blind, they won't be able to comete for food as well as before. They may also spend a lot of time hidden in caves in re-introduced into the main tank. Be happy that they are both still alive, though. Generally, cockatoos are not only sensitive to nitrates, but also do not tolerate medications. I do know that if my fish were sick, and perhaps slowly dieng, I would treat them with meds anyway, even if they are "intolerant."

I would say either get a second 5.5 gallon tank for a hospital, get a 10 gallon for the ladies (may or may not be too much space....I'm not sure without being there, but you'll know ), or leave everything the way it is. If you use the hospital tank on a regular basis, easiest would be to get another one if room permits.

Also: you could view "happy" in a few different ways. "HAppy" to have the big tank to swim around in, or "happy" to be in the smaller tank and not have to worry about eating or predators. Saftey will probably be forefront in their minds if they are newly blind. Would be in mine. At first, I would prefer smaller quarters until I was used to the blindness, acould get around without injury, and could "take care of myself."

 

[FoundMoney]

Unfortunately, I don't have anywhere to put another tank. The second 5.5 gallon was a bit of a stretch. I don't have any place to put another tank.

I don't anticipate using the hospital tank that often but I will be acquiring a few new fish and want to be able to quarrantine them before putting them in the main tank. Will it be alright to use the tank with the cockatoos in it as a quarrantine tank?

 

[pnyklr3]

You could do that, I suppose. The only thing is if you have any "outbreaks" the females will get it if they are already stressed or weakened.