Opinions Please

Twinklecaz · Dec 2, 2011

Whilst looking at my 20L this morning I noticed one of my Ember Tetras has an eye missing. I really think this has to be new, I'm sure I'd have noticed before.

I have 2 questions really:

1: Do any of you know of any diseases where this might have happened (only other symptom is he's a bit darkened in colour but could that be the shock?)or should I probably just conclude my Betta has done it? Because obviously if it could be a disease I'd need to look into treating the tank

2: I think I need to euthanise the Ember don't I? :sad:

I mean, he can't possibly not be in pain can he? Or live a good life with one eye?

I realise the second question is ultimately my decision but I'd really appreciate some opinions. Has anyone ever had a fish live happily with one eye?

Louiseness · Dec 2, 2011

Twinklecaz said:
Whilst looking at my 20L this morning I noticed one of my Ember Tetras has an eye missing. I really think this has to be new, I'm sure I'd have noticed before.

I have 2 questions really:

1: Do any of you know of any diseases where this might have happened (only other symptom is he's a bit darkened in colour but could that be the shock?)or should I probably just conclude my Betta has done it? Because obviously if it could be a disease I'd need to look into treating the tank

2: I think I need to euthanise the Ember don't I? I mean, he can't possibly not be in pain can he? Or live a good life with one eye?

I realise the second question is ultimately my decision but I'd really appreciate some opinions. Has anyone ever had a fish live happily with one eye?

I'd say that someone, most likely the betta, has nipped his eye out. What other tankmates are there?

And I wouldn't NECESSARILY euthanise, I'd keep an eye on it, see how the fish was behaving and maybe treat with an antibacterial med, but lots of people have fish with war wounds like that who've recovered just fine.

Twinklecaz · Dec 2, 2011

Just the Embers and the Betta. So yeah, it would have been him.

Thanks a lot, I was hoping someone would say that. I have some melafix so might treat with that for a days.

They obviously can't stay in that tank with him now though. I knew he chased them but that was it.

eaglesaquarium · Dec 2, 2011

All bettas have different personalities. Some are more placid than others.

Twinklecaz · Dec 2, 2011

Yeah, he seems to have got worse the longer I've him. I guess he's just grown up. It's not ideal but I'm going to have to move the Embers to my 60L. Which is already overstocked but I've nowhere else to put them for now (and I am getting my 125L soon). Looks like I might just have to do more water changes for a while (joy).

Gah who said fish were easy pets!

Tizer · Dec 2, 2011

Louiseness said:
I'd keep an eye on it

Eye see what you did there!

coldcazzie · Dec 2, 2011

I've had a fish with only one eye before and it made very little difference to its quality of life - food was no problem, although did sometimes get a little lost when schooling with the others.

Apart from the initial healing phase, don't let it bother you :good:

Twinklecaz · Dec 2, 2011

Thanks guys. I'm going to move them in a bit when I've done my water changes. This'll be fun, I tried to move them once before and had to give up!

and Lol good one Tizer!

KittyKat · Dec 2, 2011

I have had fish which were missing both eyes before: they did well and lived long with the right care, where the right care was mostly keeping them with other non-aggressive species and making sure that they fed well.

Twinklecaz · Dec 2, 2011

Well they're all in the 60L now. You'll be surprised to know the one with the eye missing was the easiest to catch. The other 5 were not so easy. :crazy:

They seem loads happier in the 60L already. Don't think they can believe the space!

Fishy friend2 · Dec 2, 2011

Good to know that they are doing better :good:

I have a one eyed fish and he is perfectly fine, here is a pic of him

Twinklecaz · Dec 3, 2011

Oh bless him. Hopefully my Ember's will heal to look like that, it's all bloody looking still at the moment.

twodoctors · Dec 3, 2011

Louiseness said:
I'd keep an eye on it.

But he's already got one!

Sorry, can't help myself.

One of my zebra loach is got a funny eye since I bought it. I think it's blind in that eye. I've had him for at least 4-5 months now and he's doing just fine with my other zebra loaches. If there's no sign of disease then let it be.

Adrian