golden puffer with cloudy eyes

[44santababy]

120 gallon tank, skeletor and dragon eel as fish mates (both adults), nothing else. Both eels eyes are crystal clear. My golden puffer has very dark eyes and you can barely see his corneas. After much research its basically caused of dirty water. I don't except this as i do water changes constantly weekly, have a protein skimmer 24/7, two filter socks, carbon and phosphate control media and 120 lbs of rock and sand. Tank is 4 years old. My water tests out correctly and is sparkling. So whats the issue? Please recommend me the correct medicine that will help with his cloudy/dark eyes. My puffer swims normal, eats normal and shits normal. What should i dose him with to help his eyes? Thanks Chris:kiss:

 

[marrone]

I think it's very common to see Puffers with some film or cloudiness over their eyes. If the puffer is eating and doing well I wouldn't worry too much about it. You may want to test your nitrates, as that could be causing the problem. If you do want to treat then try using melafix.

 

[44santababy]

Marrone, i agree with you. BUT, when i purchased him from DD a year ago his eyes were clear like glass. Now there is a film like you described. Just don't want to ignore it. I have been doing constant water changes last week and no difference. What i do notice his eyes clear up a little with lights off. Marrone do you own a dragon too?

 

[44santababy]

Melafix...thanks Marrone!

 

[marrone]

With your bio load, 2 Eels and a Puffer, I would check your nitrates, as that could be a problem. Also try treating with melafix, as if it's a bacteria infection that will take care of it. Some people have even applied it, or a bacteria infection cream, directly to the eye and have seen it clear up, and some cases have been very bad.

Unfortunately I don't have the Dragon Eel anymore. I would like to add one but with the Livestock that I currently have in my tanks it would be hard to add one.

 

[clasystems]

If the eyes have a cloudy tint over them, like pearl like I wouldnt worry about it. My rabbitfish have always had it but never any of my puffers. Its the whitish cloudy eye that is usually a bacterial infection from dirty water. Sometimes takes a few weeks to clear. I would try water changes over any meds when i initially see this type of thing. Its a good sign the tank needs to be vacuumed and water changed.

 

[Cu455]

Don't feed the tank for a couple of days and see if it clears up. If the eye clears up then it is most likely a water quality issue.

What do you feed, how often are you feeding and how do you feed your fish (powerheads on/off, target feed, dumping everything in)?

 

[44santababy]

my eels consume their food whole, zero waste. My puffer makes a mess as expected with food everywhere. I do water changes weekly over the weekend with 20 gallon changes. I feed my puffer rods predator food, shrimp, scallops and clams. I will cut back on his feedings and feed maybe 4 times a week instead of daily. Powerheads always on.

 

[marrone]

Eels, regardless if they swallow and eat all the food that you give them, probably a lot of waste, so right there you can have issues with your water quality.

 

[44santababy]

thanks for the responses! Ill will start to do water changes twice a week now. I also ordered melafix and pimafix for help.

 

[Snutch2thenutch]

This happened to me and is really easy to fix! What else is in your tank? I was able to fix it with copper medicine the first time then the second time I just raise the tank temp 6-8 degrees. Also water changes never hurt!

Fair warning never feed you puffer Dried shrimp! I learned that the hard way....RIP Puff Daddy 8 years young.