The Puffer Forum

Got home from work, and noticed that both my figure 8's had one cloudy eye each--opposite eyes (same side when they are facing one another)
What would cause that,
fight? (never shown any aggression to one another)
Scratch from a plastic plant (but on both?)
Cataracts (in fish?)
or is it indicative of another problem
Both fish are active and just ate-both eyes on each are still mobile
Tank is 29 gal
NitRAte=25
NitRIte =0
NH3=0
SG 1.005
PH=7.5-KH low as well but that is another post

My experience has been some trauma is the most likely cause, but both having it is weird...makes you wonder if they ran into each other?

A little melafix won't hurt anything - may not help either, but it often make me feel better just to try something.

Eric

I'd try to get the nitrAtes a lil lower & add Melafix. It'll fix it right up.

Never had to medicate before-melafix-hope its avail in canada...The nitrate will be lowered (weekly water change tomorrow), will do another mid week one if I need to..just hope there is no permanent dammage

I have encountered that when new figure 8's get their SG in their tank raised too high too fast.

how long after the last water change?
I have been raising it, on PP advice, and the article in the library stopped at 1.005...1.005 this week.1.004 week before..think it was around 1.002 when I started about a month, but that was before the refractometer..not too sure on those results from the swing arm hydrometer

Melafix is available in Canada, don't worry.

I would try using mela fix. If all goes well theres no problem.

Well treatment was semi-successful. (melafix and primafix) the one puffer that has always had a darker coloring (more distinctive), cleared up by sat-nite..the other deteriorated rapidly...both eyes became cloudy, and he became more and more pale..died Sunday :37: ...The one that lived, shows no signs of illness, eats and swims...although he has become more timid, hiding out at the back of the tank, behind the plants

My condolences ...... I had a very similar experience several months ago, with the same result. I've never had much luck with medications though. As far as I can tell you did all the things you were suppose to. Sorry for your loss.

MP

Sorry for your loss.

*Note to all: Melafix and Pimafix are natural remedies, if you see any signs of ich, cloud eye, etc these are the best treatments that are puffer safe!*

Mela/Pimafix will not rid a fish of ich but will prevent secondary infections due to the parasite invading the fish's skin.

Melafix (sorry should have mentioned) is not a direct cure as PP noted (thnx), but it does come in handy to help de-stress the puffs helping them be more prone for a remedy.

Are u saying this was ich?...or just a side note to the medication...I am not sure myself as I have never really seen a fish with it.thought it was less likely in a BW environment. The puffer that did die-his fins went from translucent to whitish, opaque, not consistenly through out the fin, but radiating out from the base of the fin (rising sun). but not cotteny (if thats a word), like I thought a fungus would look like..I thought it was a sign of stress due to illness, than a symptom of the illness itself

Should I continue to medicate the tank, as a preventative measure,