Pirate Tetra

[carrera]

ive just got a few black phantom tetras from my lfs but have just noticed that one of them has an eye missing

he seems happy and healthy enough and is just missing an eye. think this could cause any problems at all? should i take him back or just buy him an eyepatch and go with it?

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Don't know? Probably not a good sign if he's missing an eye, I'd try taking him back. Good Idea with the eye patch though, if you do it, post some pictures

 

[OohFeeshy]

Nah, its far more stressful for the fish to be carted backwards and forwards and resold and all that jazz than to live with one eye. There shouldn't be any problems, eyesight is but one sensory organ of fish. My one eyed swordtail does just as well as the other two with both eyes.

 

[dgwebster]

see if the store will replace him and let you keep him - you never do know, he may just go on....

 

[The-Wolf]

I have had many fish with only one eye.
ATM I have 3 with one eye.
all do very well without it.

If the missing eye is recent (ie has not healed)
treat with melafix to help regrowth of the tissue around the socket and help stem a secondary bacterial infection.

 

[carrera]

ok thanks guys, ill keep "pirate"

If the missing eye is recent (ie has not healed)
treat with melafix to help regrowth of the tissue around the socket and help stem a secondary bacterial infection.

about this - i have no idea if its recent or not, should i treat anyway ?

 

[The-Wolf]

is it red/inflamed?
it is raggedy looking?

if the answer is no to both then it has healed and will be fine without treating

 

[carrera]

no id say it looks healed, kinda pinkish, but not wound-like. thanks

 

[helsekia]

I have a tetra with one eye and he does fine no problems eating/finding food,if you didnt know he had one eye you wouldnt notice if you know what I mean!