Cory Missing An Eye

FishFreak617 · Post by **FishFreak617** » 04 Jul 2005, 05:06

I'll list all of the standard info first....

Water Parameters
-Temperature: 78-80 degrees F
-PH: 7.0
-Ammonia/Nitrites: 0
-Nitrates: No higher than 20

Tank Info
-Size: 40g
-Length of time running: almost 1 year
-Substrate: 1/2 of smooth gravel
-Decorations: Several caves and fake plants
-Filter: Whisper Power for 55g
-Water Changes: 30% 2x a week
-Inhabitants: 5 Juli Cories, 5 Bolivian Rams, 5 Red-Eye Tetras, 1 Oto cat, 1 Convict

Alright, on to the actual problem. Last night I was doing my evening feeding and I was shocked to see that one of my cories was missing an eye. I had noticed this particular cory had been hanging out in one of the caves that the cories don't usually hang out in, but didn't really think anything of it. But when it finally emerged I was quite shocked. The weirdest thing is that there doesn't look like there was any signs of trauma. Like it really looks like the eye is just missing, just the socket remains. The cory doesn't look to be in distress and is still doing the usual cory activities. None of the other fish ever bother the cories, they've all been in the tank together for almost as long as the tank has been up and running. So I guess at this point, I'm just wondering if/what I should do for it. I added some melafix last night and today, but I am concerned about the possibility of an infection. So any advice as to what I should do would or if anyone else has had a similar experience and would like to share I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Post by **corybreed** » 04 Jul 2005, 14:49

Although you state that none of the other fish bother the corys it is not probable that the eye was lost as a result of some disease. I would think that one of the rams or the convict is the culprit.

Mark

FishFreak617 · Post by **FishFreak617** » 04 Jul 2005, 16:21

Hmm, I don't know. The Convict is an outcast, it's only in the tank because it's mate tried to kill him, he pretty much keeps to himself. The Rams are also pretty quiet. But obviously there's no way to know for sure what happened. Anyways, that still doesn't help me figure out what I should do.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 04 Jul 2005, 16:37

I'm not sure how much you CAN do at this time.

You may want to add some Melafix or some such to prevent any infection (I've never used the stuff, but others say it's good).

I've seen more than one fish with a missing eye coping quite well, so unless it gets an infection in the eye, it should make a (almost) full recovery. It may be a good idea to isolate this fish in a hospital tank until it recovers. It's probably more the shock than anything else that causes it to behave "off form".

I'd still try to figure out who the culprit is, since that would prevent further lost eyes on this and other fish, as I also doubt that it's any form of illness that causes the eye to suddenly fall out, which means that it's most likely one of the other inhabitants of the tank. I'd guess the convict, but that's just because they are known to be quite aggressive. The fact that it's not getting along with it's mate doesn't mean that it's a pushover towards other fish...

--
Mats

FishFreak617 · Post by **FishFreak617** » 04 Jul 2005, 16:42

I've been adding Melafix since it happened so I'll just continue to do that for the next few days. And I'll definately keep an eye out for who might have done it. It obviously could have been any of the fish (although I doubt that it was one of the other cories or the oto cat). The convict seems to be the "low man on the totem pole" in the tank and mostly hangs out in one of the corners, only venturing out in the open to feed. But who knows. Thanks for the reply Mats.

catfishgrrl · Post by **catfishgrrl** » 08 Jul 2005, 09:18

I had a panda cory last year that I suspect one my rams ate an eye out.
No signs of trauma either, just an empty socket. He a was very small at the time.
I added Melafix and just followed the directions.
Today he swims with the rest of the pack and does fine.

Good luck with your little guy.