unclenedsfishfactory.com

Hi there,

I found this fish with a cloudy eye in the morning, which makes me suspect injury rather than an infection (he was fine, and then he wasn't). This is the best picture I could take, not great, but it does look pretty much like this in real:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15535746@N02/1662701673/

I bet Ned or others have seen this before. I isolated the fish but I hesitate to medicate. If it's just an injury, maybe it's best to not do anything, if not, what to give to avoid any possible secondary infection? Advice? Thanks.

Jul

yes
Isolate
treat with erythromycin (also called Maracyn or E.M. tablets)
make sure water is clean and alkaline (pH above 7.4)

this usually will heal
sometimes takes a while

Thank you Ned. You have a specific reason for recommending erythromicin, rather than, say, tetracycline or minocycline, or that's just what you have experience with? Just curious, i don't mean to question your wisdom...

wouldn't call it wisdom...
erythromycin (and probably it's relatives)
are most often used for eye damage

others might work too

Erythromycin worked within a week, with a just a small white spot left. A second course of treatment did not get rid of the remaining dot. The fish has been back in the main tank for about 4 weeks, he's fine, no change, doesn't seem too perturbed, maybe it's just a permanent scar.