Eye problem in my damsel

Last night I noticed the skin around my damsels eye was hanging off of his eye. Today it is clouded over and the skin has fallen off. I looked to see if any other fish in my tank had this problem, but they all look normal. We have not added any live stock since 6 months ago. We are gonna try and do a water test tonight to see if any thing in the water could be causing this. My question is what do you guys think it is???? Could it be possible that maybe something hit his eye or stung him?
This is my favorite fish in my tank, so I would really appreciate some help!
Thanks in advace!
Jessica :)
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
It is very possible that the fish injuried its eye. However, you don't say what else you have in your tank? Anything that might be agressive toward this fish?
You need to check your water conditions and see if there is a problem in that area. Doing a water change would be a good idea as well.
Report back.
 
Hey Beth,
His eye looks about the same today, but he ate last night. We checked are water conditions and they are:
Alk = 3
Calcium = 400
Ph = 8.2
Nitrate = 10
Nitrite = 0.1
Ammonia = 0
We think the reason the nitrate and nitrite is so high is because of our crushed coral mixed with live sand. What do you suggest here? We will go ahead and do a water change today.
The other fish we have in our tank are a tomato clown, flame hawk, and 2 percs. We had a bi color blennie but we found him dead this morning!! What might have caused this? We also have a green tip sebae anenome...but I don't know if that would have caused the eye problem in the damsel.
I don't understand what is going on...this is the first problem we have had with our fish. Hopefully you or someone else can tell me what is going on.
Thanks,
Jessica
:confused: :eek: :confused: :(
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
You need to maintain zero nitrites. Nitrites are a toxin to fish. Additionally, you only have a 20 gal tank which is kinda small. In fact, it is more than "kinda" small.
What type filtration are you using? As for the mixture of sand and CC, there is no solution, except to slowly replace what you have with pure LS.
[ October 01, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]
 
Beth,
I know I have a small tank, but this was all my fiancee could afford at the time.(plus it was a bday present 1 1/2 years ago) We take very good care of our tank and take great pride in it. We have never had a problem before with our tank. I just came here to see if I could get some help, not for someone to tell me my tank is "kinda" too small. I am not trying to flame, just wish you could have been a little nicer about it. Kinda made me feel as if I was wasting your time. Please don't take this the wrong way, I know you know what you are talking about...and I do want to learn more about what has happened to my two fish.
For filtration we are using a red sea prizm skimmer along with the live rock.
Jessica :)
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Some people are able to keep nano reef systems as small as 5 gals, however, these tanks don't usually have fish in them. My comments about small tank had more to do with the number of fish you were keeping in addition to the basic fact that the smaller the tank, the higher the risk for problems. It was not a flame or a derogotory comment. Just know, that small tanks are much more prone to problems and fish causalities. It goes with the territory. I don't have a problem with having a 20 gal tank. I have a 20 and a 15 gal tank, in addition to a 72!
Don't you have any powerheads for circulating water? Gas exchange in tanks, epecially small tanks, is very important. So are frequent water changes. There are many polluants in water that accumulate that are not measured by water test kits, that can adversely effect fish. How often do you do water changes? Maintenance requirements in a smaller tank go up due to the smaller water volume. I would do a 20% water change weekly, at the least.
I would recommend that you do daily water changes until you get that nitrite down to zero. The improved water quality, in and of itself, could have a positive effect on the fish with the bad eye without your having to treat it separately. I would also recommend using some garlic soaked food for treatment. While garlic is commonly used to prevent and treat parasities, it also has some positive effects in the treatment of bacterial infections, and, it is also an immune booster.
Except for members who are obviously here to cause trouble, I don't consider helping anyone beneth me or waste of time. I like helping people, particualarly people with less exp than me. I've been in this hobby a long time, and I do remember how it was when I had less exp. No question or problem is a waste of time for me.
 
Top