Bala Sharks

[Grrrrrowler]

Hi all,
I have 2 lovely bala sharks in my tank - both about 3" at present.
They both seem really happy and healthy.
They both have black eyes, but one of them has a small lighter coloured circle bang in the middle of each eye - almost look like cataracts.
As I said these are perfectly in the middle of one of the shark's eyes and dont seem to cause him any distress.
He doesnt appear to have any problems with his sight and still flies around the tank ok.

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks for your help...

 

[Nina7777]

this happened to my bala at the beggining of the week. It is probably just a scrape. His whole eye may become blurry and actually appear to be protuding. Buy some Melafix and treat for 3 days. Mine started out with a tiny scrape in the middle and soon it covered the whole eye then started protuding. I know it wasn't pop eye because after the first dose of melafix it started getting better, and i am happy to say now he is fine! These guys scare really easy so it is always a good idea to have melafix on hand for them, as they will always have bumps and bruises and scrapes. Its inevitable with Balas!

 

[Grrrrrowler]

Thanks for your reply - but the marks are in the middle of BOTH eyes - seems like too much of coincidence for scrapes to be in exactly the same place in both eyes at the same time?...
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[heresmike]

Have they always been there, or are they just starting to develop? How long have you had the fish?

 

[Grrrrrowler]

Only noticed them about a week ago - they may have been there all along but i havent noticed them.

I have had the fish for about 4 months or so.

Thanks for your help.

 

[heresmike]

As long as the fish is happy and healthy, I wouldn't be overly concerned right now. But I would definitely monitor the fish for other symptoms, and to make sure the lighter colored circle doesn't spread. If it does, it could be cataracts.

Here's a link that will help you diagnose diseases:
http/www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html

The only thing I could find regarding the eyes is pop-eye and cloudy-eye. Not saying your little guy has either, mind you!