Rendahl's Catfish - I think it may be blind?

[sodonald22]

Hi all... Very first question here...

I've had this Rendals catfish for over two years now.
At the store where I bought it, and even after bringing home into into a 4ft, 400L tank, it always just settled into the plants, and seemed to hide.

I did have an artificial cave where itself, and 4 Clown Loaches were mostly all hanging out together, except after losing all but one of the Clowns (one each water change, but not each/every water change - Random).

I have removed that cave since, to make space for more plants, and replaced with different varieties of hiding spaces (driftwood with moss, etc).

I have rarely ever seen this fish move around, except such as, if I'm awake at the crack of dawn, and see its silhouette swimming around briefly.

What really got me today, is that although it has now found itself seemingly comfortable in a dense nest of low growing tiger val at the base of the tank, well...
It's left eye is right up against the glass, and no matter what movements I make totally as close to its eye, even very rapid movements, the fish does not respond.

I would think sudden movements, especially during "light" hours should cause some reaction.

Could it possibly be blind? ... How would one properly test to know?


PS. This is a video I took when the fish was still young, after a couple of weeks in the tank... Looked healthy then....

 

[jaylach]

I don't know the species but the video makes it look like it is doing fine. Many species of fish have poor eyesight and cats are not an exception. Many are also nocturnal so sight is not as important as smell and detecting vibrations.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Most catfish are nocturnal. Which is why you see it at the crack of dawn, it's still dark. It might be a little stressed without a place to hide. I would return the cave. Otherwise it looks fine.