Blue Chromis Eye Protrusion

[dwfain]

My DT has been up and running for about 2 years. Mixed reef with fish. I had 2 Blue Chromis on there for over a year. Suddenly the larger one had the lens of the left eye protrude out. It was not cloudy or look infected in any way, just the clear lens of the eye was extremely large. I did not get a picture. Being extremely cautious I removed the fish from the tank. The smaller Chromis came down with the same issue about 2 weeks later while I was on vacation. I had the sitter remove it. All other fish in the tank are fine--lyrtail anthias, royal gramma, cardinals, clowns, penny coral groucher, powder brown tang, and foxface. Any ideas what it could have been?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

My DT has been up and running for about 2 years. Mixed reef with fish. I had 2 Blue Chromis on there for over a year. Suddenly the larger one had the lens of the left eye protrude out. It was not cloudy or look infected in any way, just the clear lens of the eye was extremely large. I did not get a picture. Being extremely cautious I removed the fish from the tank. The smaller Chromis came down with the same issue about 2 weeks later while I was on vacation. I had the sitter remove it. All other fish in the tank are fine--lyrtail anthias, royal gramma, cardinals, clowns, penny coral groucher, powder brown tang, and foxface. Any ideas what it could have been?

Tough to say without pictures, did you see signs of gas in the fluid of the eye?

Single eye issues are commonly caused by simple trauma. However that would be less commonly seen in two different long term captives fish.

Search online for “Hemdal fish eye health” - that should link you to an article I wrote on fish eye health (I’m on my phone and can’t link it for you).
Jay

 

[dwfain]

It looks like Exophthalmia. Found an article at https://reefs.com/magazine/aquarium-fish-the-eyes-have-it-a-review-of-eye-health-in-aquarium-fishes/ that showed a great picture of it and discussion of eye problems in fish. This article was written by Hemdal.