How do you feed a blind fish?

[FishEnthusiast]

Hi,

I just bought 6 rummynose tetras. I only had to pay for 5 as one doesn't have any eyes. The lfs would have taken him out, but I fell in love. He and his friends will be joining my dwarf gourami and 2 juvenile angels in a 20G. Is there anything special I have to do to ensure my little guy gets enough to eat?

Aside from having no eyes, he is perfectly healthy, he swims with the other fish if he touches them. They are still acclimating to the tank, so they are still in their bag. When they put him in the bag, he very gently swam the length to see where the sides are. He hasn't hit them since. I think he was probably born with no eyes, although they had them in with a ghost knife fish. Would that have taken their eyes out? He wasn't the only one with no eyes, there were a couple with only one eye.

I think my blind fish will probably be named Keller after Helen Keller. Any other suggestions? Have a wonderful day/evening/night/morning!

 

[Teelie]

Like any other fish. Most fish use their sense of smell and lateral lines to navigate and detect their surroundings anyways. There are blind cave fish which are basically in the same boat, so to speak, as yours and they do fine.

 

[RandomWiktor]

BettaMomma's fish is blind; maybe she could give you some tips of you PM her

 

[FishEnthusiast]

I never thought about bettamommas blind betta! What a good idea. I'll PM her and learn the tricks of the trade. Thanks

 

[eudielynn]

Yep, BettaMomma's the one to ask. By the way, Keller's a great name. I had thought about using it myself someday.

 

[FishEnthusiast]

Thanks.

I put the fish in the 20G last night and either Keller is a natural born leader or the other rummynose don't know he is blind, because they all schoal nicely together. Keller goes one way, the other fish follow! it is funny to watch, one little fish, no eyes leading 5 other fish with perfect sight around the tank. I may have to get a breeders net to feed him because he didn't eat last night, he didn't realize there was worms in the tank. I will keep trying and let you all know what happens.

 

[The_Gilly]

i'd tap on the top of the tank just before feeding. Maybe abit stressful for them at first but they will all learn (including the blind one) that when they hear or sense the top that it's time to go to the top for food.........

 

[LoachLover]

Yeah just feed him like a regular fish, they use their sense of smell.

 

[BettaMomma]

Have you gotten him to eat anything yet?
I laughed when I read your story of him leading the other fish around the tank.

You know...
like "the blind leading the... un-blind"

 

[millym]

oh good on you for keeping the fish even though its not 'perfect'
hope its eating fine

 

[Nidge]

As others said it will do fine without sight and uses smell to find the food too. Just make sure there isn't to much competition for the food and im sure he'll do just fine.