Cataract on blenny's eye? Fungus or bacteria?

[JoJosReef]

Hi all,

I noticed that the blenny has a small white patch on one eye, which has me concerned. All animals in the tank have been QT'd. Corals are not QT'd, only dipped and sometimes peroxide-treated. I will usually try to get coral off their plugs and onto my own plugs, but not always possible.

Good eye:

Bad eye:

Going on 3 days since I noticed. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,

I noticed that the blenny has a small white patch on one eye, which has me concerned. All animals in the tank have been QT'd. Corals are not QT'd, only dipped and sometimes peroxide-treated. I will usually try to get coral off their plugs and onto my own plugs, but not always possible.

Good eye:

Bad eye:

Going on 3 days since I noticed. Any thoughts? Thanks!

While a cataract is possible, I swear, I am seeing a flatworm. To confirm, if fish is Not breathing heavy but normal, give it a 5 minutes freshwater bath the same temperature as display tank (optional, with aeration) and if indeed a flatworm, will dislodge

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I also see something - on both eyes, one is larger than the other. Cataracts will be internal, and these look like they are on the surface. I'd say Neobenedenia flukes are a good possibility. A 5 minute FW dip will knock them off (but not cure the fish).

Freshwater Dips

“Freshwater dips” (FW Dips) are commonly used to dislodge certain parasites from the skin of marine fishes. This is more of a diagnostic tool, and less of a permanent cure. Dips can be used to lower the parasite load temporarily, while waiting for another treatment to begin. Looking at the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JoJosReef]

I also see something - on both eyes, one is larger than the other. Cataracts will be internal, and these look like they are on the surface. I'd say Neobenedenia flukes are a good possibility. A 5 minute FW dip will knock them off (but not cure the fish).

Freshwater Dips

“Freshwater dips” (FW Dips) are commonly used to dislodge certain parasites from the skin of marine fishes. This is more of a diagnostic tool, and less of a permanent cure. Dips can be used to lower the parasite load temporarily, while waiting for another treatment to begin. Looking at the...

www.reef2reef.com

What are the odds of flukes coming in on a frag that has been dipped? All of the fish in the tank have been QT'd by Dr. Reef or a local that QTs using the same protocol.

 

[JoJosReef]

While a cataract is possible, I swear, I am seeing a flatworm. To confirm, if fish is Not breathing heavy but normal, give it a 5 minutes freshwater bath the same temperature as display tank (optional, with aeration) and if indeed a flatworm, will dislodge

Would a flatworm stay put for multiple days? The white patch is in the same location and hasn't moved. I'll try to get a better shot.

 

[JoJosReef]

While a cataract is possible, I swear, I am seeing a flatworm. To confirm, if fish is Not breathing heavy but normal, give it a 5 minutes freshwater bath the same temperature as display tank (optional, with aeration) and if indeed a flatworm, will dislodge

I also see something - on both eyes, one is larger than the other. Cataracts will be internal, and these look like they are on the surface. I'd say Neobenedenia flukes are a good possibility. A 5 minute FW dip will knock them off (but not cure the fish).

Freshwater Dips

“Freshwater dips” (FW Dips) are commonly used to dislodge certain parasites from the skin of marine fishes. This is more of a diagnostic tool, and less of a permanent cure. Dips can be used to lower the parasite load temporarily, while waiting for another treatment to begin. Looking at the...

www.reef2reef.com

Maybe some better shots:

"good eye"

"bad eye"

 

[vetteguy53081]

Maybe some better shots:

"good eye"

"bad eye"

Nice shots. If extended, may be flatworm. If not, this may have stemmed from an injury, as the fish appears to have retina damage which may not clear yet the fish will be able to function normally with eating, swimming, etc.
If it doesnt improve in 48 hrs. You can attempt treatment with ethromyacin which is Maracyn AKA Maracyn 1 but do not expect full clearing althought it would be great news.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Flatworms that large would have visible eyes, I think this is a Neobenedenia fluke.

Jay

 

[JoJosReef]

Flatworms that large would have visible eyes, I think this is a Neobenedenia fluke.

Jay

Sounds like a freshwater dip is in order. I'm still confused where flukes could have come from. I've had 2 clams, a zoa, a couple of montis, a shroom, a cyphastrea and a birdsnest introduced to the tank over the last month. Think only one of those had a plug I couldn't take off. All corals dipped. Clams were of course not dipped, just inspected. Everything else came in Pre-QT'd.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Sounds like a freshwater dip is in order. I'm still confused where flukes could have come from. I've had 2 clams, a zoa, a couple of montis, a shroom, a cyphastrea and a birdsnest introduced to the tank over the last month. Think only one of those had a plug I couldn't take off. All corals dipped. Clams were of course not dipped, just inspected. Everything else came in Pre-QT'd.

Neobenedenia eggs are tough and sticky. Dips have no effect on them. They get transported stuck to anything moved from one tank to another.

I can’t say 100% that this is Neo, but the only other likely thing would be simply a scraped eye, and that would heal on its own.