Cloudy Eye in Fish

[cavyroo]

I am in need of advice. I manage a small local pet store (we are a plant nursery as well)..and we have had salt water since January. For the most part we are doing quite well. I do a lot of research online and mostly here..and I have 2 reef tanks..one is a year and half old the other 6mths.

We have one BIG system...there are 4 80gal tanks connected to one huge sump and skiimer in the back. It was built by veraltaquatics...up in seattle.

I use coppersafe in that system..for its strickly fish only..and it has helped alot with diseases..we never get ich or parasites in that system..

BUT lately..we have had fish get one if not both..cloudy eyes...and sometimes..brown patching on some of the tangs..

What causes this in saltwater? I am trying to search online..but not having much luck.

Is there anything I can do to that system? WHen I find a fish that does..I pull it out and place in our 20gal Q tank in the back..and I have cured them back there with Maracyn 2 by mardel.

The big system..has bio balls...and I have phosphate pads in the drawer where the water outtakes flow.

SO.

Any advice for me that I could do to improve this system?

Thanks lots
Misty

 

[wrightme43]

Hi Misty. I have found for me, that when fish get cloudy eye it is usually preceded by eye damage, either from netting, hitting decorations, rubbing, or fighting. Most often it seems from netting. Imagine this, you have no eyelids or arms and someone grabs you with a net, Your eyes rub against it as you try to get free. That is where the damage happens, and then it is invaded by opertunistic bacteria. Thats where the maracyn 1 or 2 comes in. Solution for me has been,
A. Keeping nets soaking in net dip. Rinse in fresh water between each use.
B. Using python nets or at least the soft blue nets.
C. Using collection cup as much as possible to catch fish.
D. Not using dead coral skeletons in Fish only tanks.
Hope that helps some. Just my take on the subject. Steve

 

[matts125]

try melafix

you should try melafix on that system, it is all natural and it is an antibacterial safe for all fish and invertebrates... and it works fast, just make sure your skimmer is off before and while you medicate....

Matt

 

[gehidore]

Keeping nets soaking in net dip. Rinse in fresh water between each use.

Our nets are kept in a "netsoak/water" mixture... at least the one I use for the salt, but I don't think that is related as some of the fish who are getting this "cloudy eye" have not been touched by our nets. I'll try to get a picture of the cloudy eye and the system tomorrow.

 

[Terry B]

Misty,

I don't recommend Coppersafe partly because I believe that it is less effective than other coppers. I understand why you feel that you need to use something to control parasites in a retail outlet. However, copper suppresses immune function making the fish more likely to suffer from bacterial and other infections. Steve's suggestion to avoid using nets is a good one. You would also be wise to avoid exposing the fish to the air. Catching and transferring fish in clear plasitc bags or specimen containers will mean less stress and fewer injuries.

It is difficult to use an antibioitc in a large system and there is the risk to the biological filtration. Maracyn-Two isn't cheap either, but it is a good choice for eye infections. You might try Furanace (Nifurpirinol), but I would test it on the biofilter in a smaller tank first. It is cheaper and still a good fish antibiotic.

If it was my store, I would acclimate all new boney reef fish in hyposalinity. This will increase the survival rates and help the fish recover from the effects of stress more quickly. At the correct salinity (for hyposalinity) you will also address most of the external parasite problems, some that copper won't help. Hypo doesn't cure everything, but you should see a marked improvement in survival rates. The problem is that you either have to acclimate the fish back to a salinity close to natural seawater before you sell them or convince your customers to quarantine the fish in hypo when they get it home. Then they can slowly increase the salinity over 4 to 7 days. Do you have a quarantine system for new arrivals?

You can find this article on the use of nets and several on saltwater fish disease, stress reduction and improving survival on my Website.
http://www.marineaquariumadvice.com/no_nets_please.html

Terry B

 

[cavyroo]

Thank you very much for your advice. I will switch our nets to softer nets..and try to catch fish using a container..although honest..I will try..but I see using the nets..for some are fast..but perhaps I can herd them in the container.

The salinty in the system is at 1.021 Should I keep the system at a lower sal?

Example..our Unicorn tang was in with a clown and a sailfin tang about the same size..and they..did not fight..unless at nite..but I highly doubt it..for we watch..

And yet today..one eye ball is clouded over..SO..into the Q tank in the back treated with Maracyn 2.

And yes..our nets are in net dip soak.

Terry..what do you think on the melafix idea? I am not sure on that...hmmm

OH..the only decor in each of the tanks..is one "look alive reef rock"...fake rock..just for something for them to swim around or hide behind..so its easier to catch fish. So I dont have anything hard coral in there..

Thanks for the help.

 

[NaH2O]

cavyroo - the hyposalinity Terry is refering to is around 14 ppt (1.011), but should only be measured with a refractometer in ppt to be accurate. Here is an article where Terry discusses this: Aquarium Fish Disorders - Saltwater Fish Diseases; Treatment of Choice part 2. Read the section about hyposalinity.

 

[JasonD]

Need help too!

I have a Naso tang that developed a cloudy eye. He was recently netted and placed in a 100 gallon reef tank. I assume that his eye was scratched. It has been about 5 days and his eye is getting worse every day. I tried epsom salt yesterday. I will see if there is any improvement when I get home tonight. If there is no improvement, I think the next step is Maracyn-Two? Is it really reef safe? I read it will kill some "good" bacteria, so the tank will have to cycle again. The tank was recently moved (about a month ago) from my bedroom to the living room, so the tank is kind of cycling anyway. I could set up a QT tank, but I don't know how I could catch the tang. The tank is half full of live rock, so it would be very difficult to catch him without tearing the reef apart. The only corals in the tank or Xenia, mushrooms, and zoo's. Would it be OK to treat the main tank or should I try and catch the tang so I can QT?

 

[wrightme43]

You can make a fish trap. My naso is not the least bit afraid of mine. I just put krill in it and I have to shoo him out to catch whoever I am trying to catch. I got mine from ebay. It will be harder if he is a larger fish, but just cut the end off a 2 or 3 liter jug, and put it in the tank. Drop some krill in it and lay it on its side. Stand ready with a net and when he swims in close off the exit. It does not always work on the first or second or third try, just keep at it and you will have him. Once he is caught, just stand the jug up and remove it from the water with one mad fish inside. This will also work with a collection containor if your LFS sells them. Here is a photo of my trap, like I said I found it on ebay. And my naso just cause I felt like it. LOL Steve