Horn shark eyes are red and look like peeling, what causes this ?

[kevmorr90]

 

[vetteguy53081]

High likelihood, may be nitrates as they produce a lot of waste. Its important to have an effective filtration system to keep their water clean. These sharks are also susceptible to bacterial and parasitical infections and rarely tolerate high nitrate levels.

 

[kevmorr90]

I checked them today and they are at 5.0ppm

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Some follow-up questions:

How long have you had the shark?
What is the water temperature?
What fish are in with it?
Is it still eating?

 

[MnFish1]

Additionally, any other fish sick?

 

[kevmorr90]

All my fish are good and swimming. It’s just the sharks, eyes are red and have a hole in them. They still are eating . I’ve done water changes.

Ph 7.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5.0

Use ro water
Salinity is 1.025

I used a ph buffer a few days ago to raise the ph then a day later this happened, I was told it was ok to use it with them in the tank

 

[Jay Hemdal]

All my fish are good and swimming. It’s just the sharks, eyes are red and have a hole in them. They still are eating . I’ve done water changes.

Ph 7.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5.0

Use ro water
Salinity is 1.025

I used a ph buffer a few days ago to raise the ph then a day later this happened, I was told it was ok to use it with them in the tank

As I had mentioned, the water temperature and what species of fish are in with the horn shark are two bits of information that is needed to try and get a clearer picture of what is causing the issue, or at least to rule some things out.

 

[kevmorr90]

Some follow-up questions:

How long have you had the shark?
What is the water temperature?
What fish are in with it?
Is it still eating?

I’ve had them for 2 months
They are eating I have a tangs/file fish/ fox face/longhorn cow fish , and a assortment of angels

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’ve had them for 2 months
They are eating I have a tangs/file fish/ fox face/longhorn cow fish , and a assortment of angels

Depending on the species of angels, they may have picked the eyes of the horn shark. Pomacanthus angels are the worst in that regard.

What is the water temperature?

 

[kevmorr90]

Depending on the species of angels, they may have picked the eyes of the horn shark. Pomacanthus angels are the worst in that regard.

What is the water temperature?

I have a lemon peel/ emperor/singapore .


I did notice the file fish nip at one of the sharks eyes yesterday but they haven’t messed with the sharks before. I have two sharks and both of them have ruptured eyes

 

[kevmorr90]

I have a lemon peel/ emperor/singapore .


I did notice the file fish nip at one of the sharks eyes yesterday but they haven’t messed with the sharks before. I have two sharks and both of them have ruptured eyes

76 on temperature

 

[Jay Hemdal]

76 on temperature

Horn sharks do best if kept long term below 72 F. 76 is o.k. for short term.

I suspect mechanical injury to their eyes from tankmates, possibly followed by bacterial infection.

 

[MnFish1]

Horn sharks do best if kept long term below 72 F. 76 is o.k. for short term.

I suspect mechanical injury to their eyes from tankmates, possibly followed by bacterial infection.

And assumedly the higher temperature is 1) a risk for infection - stress, and 2) faster growth of the infection

 

[kevmorr90]

 

[vetteguy53081]

While this shark has a natural rough skin texture I wonder if bacterial issue on hand and again reverting to water quality and elevated nitrates. Buffer too may have played a role.
I encourage you to take a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and compare readings- then you'll know where your levels truly are at. Also you can disregard Nitrites which is freshwater specific

 

[kevmorr90]

While this shark has a natural rough skin texture I wonder if bacterial issue on hand and again reverting to water quality and elevated nitrates. Buffer too may have played a role.
I encourage you to take a water sample to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and compare readings- then you'll know where your levels truly are at. Also you can disregard Nitrites which is freshwater specific

Both eyes have holes in them, anything I can do for them or will they not recover. I’ll take some water in and have it tested. The owner of a fish store here had stated the buffer would be ok so I’m hoping it’s not that

 

[vetteguy53081]

Both eyes have holes in them, anything I can do for them or will they not recover. I’ll take some water in and have it tested. The owner of a fish store here had stated the buffer would be ok so I’m hoping it’s not that

Hopefully not retina damage. As for treatment, they are scaleless making it more difficult
I believe they are tolerant of Kanaplex by seachem

@Jay Hemdal

 

[kevmorr90]

Hopefully not retina damage. As for treatment, they are scaleless making it more difficult
I believe they are tolerant of Kanaplex by seachem

@Jay Hemdal

I’m sure they are damaged