Cloudy eye on Nandopsis octofasciatus " Blue" Demp

[Freddy J]

I have a 10 month old "Blue" that developed a cloud in one of his eyes over this weekend. Is his cataracts? If not what else could it be. Does anyone know if this is common among fish in general and Cichlids specifically?

[Rex Karr]

Cloudy eyes can be caused by many things. Most commonly either a scrape on the eye (which should heal), or from toxins in the water (Which should heal if steps are taken to improve the quality of the water). Have you used any meds or anything recently? Sometimes they can be to strong and hurt the eyes. How are your water change and filter maintienance schedules? If you let them slip for a while the water can rapidly deteriorate and cause toxins to build up.

Good Luck

[Freddy J]

Thanks for the reply Rex. I have a 150g tank with the two "Blues", two Herichthys carpintis, a breeding pair of Convicts and four Salvinis. All the fish are young grow outs except the Convict pair.
I'm doing 20% water changes weekly and testing quality weekly. The tank is three months old. I have not medicated it. The one "Blue" is the only fish with the problem. It is only affecting one eye. Feeding habits are good.
With caution I'll assume the eye was scratched. How long will the healing process take?
The forum is a great tool. Thanks for participating.

[Rex Karr]

Yeah, sounds like a sratch. I had a small white Midas that was rough up by a large male striped Midas and both eyes scratch and cloudy. After separating the 2 the small Midas healed up in less than a week.

Your tank sounds nice. Do you have pictures?
Rex

[Freddy J]

The fish seems to be eating well. I'm not concerned that what ever it is is mortal. Hopefully a weeks time will clear up my fish too.
I've ordered a wide angle lens for my digital camera. When it gets in I'll post some pics. Thanks again.

[Rex Karr]

Awsome.

[Corona]

Melafix is a good med that takes care of many elments in fish including, cuts and cloud eye, and some diferant fungus types, do you use aquarium salt? that should help put a nice slim coat on your fish wich helps prevent scratches and what not :) has many uses.

[Freddy J]

Thanks for the advice.

[mk_ultra]

Melafix is a good med but I'veused it better as an ointment( for open cuts sores and rot). I haven't had succes with it. ( I work in a fish room with an average of 500 fish)
Neosulfex works well and there is a med called Bio-sphere(i think it's spehere) this stuff works well also.