Damsel with bad eyes

Tait · Apr 9, 2019

So last week I took in another rescue damsel, the employee said that it was surrendered because it was bullied or was a bully, they didn't remember. It looks like a Sgt. Major or another from the the genus Abudefduf, but I've seen Sgt. Majors that were bagged up with more color than this. I have multiple qt/growouts but due to the eyes I decided to put it in the general incoming/qt tank to see how it does with more peaceful stuff. The permanent residents are a clown pair, ORA filefish, molly and an orange spot goby. This tanks main purpose is to find out compatibility of new fish.
So onto the actual issue, other than being unidentified, it appears to have 2 bad eyes. One is indented and appears to be scar tissue. The other is reflective, more like a rabbitfish eye than a bacterial infection. I am star

ting to be concerned that it could be an infection because it might be a little bigger than days ago. It might not though, as the change would be so little it's hard to notice. It appears to have some vision based on the molly's nipped tail (I put the molly in breeder box for now). With a species ID I could figure out what the eyes should look like. Could he have damaged a second eye after the first was impaired? Any thoughts regarding this little dude's eyes or identity are appreciated.
Thanks!

ngoodermuth · Apr 9, 2019

The “indented” eye is definitely lost. Most likely to infection or injury but looks to be pretty well healed already.

The other side *could* be infected yet, or just damaged/blind from an old injury. If the eye looks swollen or bigger than it should... I would er on the side of caution and move him to a hospital tank for a course of antibiotics.

I’d also consider a freshwater dip to check for flukes, if you haven’t already. Flukes are known to cause eye infections as well... but if the fish was in a hostile environment, injury is as likely a cause as any.

Tait · Apr 9, 2019

Thanks for the reply! I will give it a FW dip today, I didn't think of that. With antibiotics, it may be controversial, but other than cupramine for visible parasites and FW dips, I prefer not treating. I've decided over the years most treatments are more stress on the fish than waiting it out. My QT protocol is basically give them a smaller established reef at normal salinity, with heavy wc's for a couple months before going into a display. Though I may take LR and set up a hospital for this guy especially if it could be more contagious than I thought.

ngoodermuth · Apr 9, 2019

Hey - your fish, your rules ;)

I think if you would want to start with the freshwater dip, that way if he does have flukes you can easily take care of them with prazi, even in the current tank as it is reef-safe. Chances are, if it is flukes causing the infection... once they are gone he could likely heal on his own with good feeding and vitamin-enriched foods.

If it’s not flukes, then you’ll want to keep his tank as clean and stress-free as possible. Again, feeding nutritious foods and possibly dosing epsom salt to help with any swelling. Hopefully, with enough care he can kick any residual infection on his own.

If not, or if he gets worse... a hospital tank and abx might be a “last resort”.

Tait · Apr 9, 2019

Thanks, I'll dose with prazi too, another thing wouldn't have thought of. I have some but have only used that in FW, would dosing be the same? Also is there a normal dose amount for Epsom or do you test for magnesium. Sorry I couldn't find it on google. That's another one I've only used with FW fish. I could set up a new tank really quick no problem, it's just I'm hesitant to use antibiotics.

Frtdrmrose7 · Apr 9, 2019

Tait said:
Thanks, I'll dose with prazi too, another thing wouldn't have thought of. I have some but have only used that in FW, would dosing be the same? Also is there a normal dose amount for Epsom or do you test for magnesium. Sorry I couldn't find it on google. That's another one I've only used with FW fish. I could set up a new tank really quick no problem, it's just I'm hesitant to use antibiotics.

Epsom is 1 Tablespoon per 5G and Prazipro is 1 teaspoon per 20G which should be 2.5mg/L

ngoodermuth · Apr 9, 2019

Frtdrmrose7 said:
Epsom is 1 Tablespoon per 5G and Prazipro is 1 teaspoon per 20G which should be 2.5mg/L

^ yep, this

I understand, antibiotics are one of those middle-ground treatments. They don’t actually cure the fish, just manage bacterial populations until the fish is healthy enough to fight off whatever is ailing them. Many times we use them out of caution, when we probably don’t need them.

Occasionally though, a fish might need “help” as to not be overwhelmed and ultimately perish while it fights off an infection... personally, this fish doesn’t look *that* bad based on the photos, but it is a good idea to keep a close eye on him just in case. In my experience when these things do go “south” it can happen rather quickly.

Tait · Apr 9, 2019

I'll probably look for a good medicated food maybe just in case. My fear with antibiotics mainly comes from that they can kill a fishes good internal bacteria as well as the bad which could weaken the immune system, and it could kill off beneficial bacteria, destablizing the aquarium. Any ID on the fish? I haven't quite ruled out that it could just look like reflective. I haven't seen an infected eye look like this, it's always more cloudy from what I've seen. Definitely has some vision based on chasing the molly but I agree the indented eye is likely gone.

Edit: I've added prazi and Epsom. Anemones didn't seem to like the prazi lol, but I'm not really worried about them.