Blind Lamp Eye

[@ombomb]

I posted this in another forum, but I suppose it was the wrong place.

Yesterday I noticed a problem with one of my lamp eyes and he can't seem to see anymore. He's still swimming around the tank, near to the surface, completely blindly. It actually looks as though the lamps in it's eye have gone out . I did think that this was an injury at first but it really doesn't seem to be the case as other than there being no shine to it's eyes, it looks fine, and I haven't seen any of my other fish being agressive.

I did a routine partial water change last night and added some general tonic to the water and the water condition is good (0 Amonia / Nitrite).

Any ideas?

 

[The-Wolf]

what do you mean by lampeye? do you know the scientific name?

 

[@ombomb]

I'm afraid not.

They don't look like Tetra and the fins are very different, but it was my best guess as they are around the same size as Neons.

They're almost unoticable fish, with light grey bodies and fins that blend into the background, but with bright blue spots over either eye.

EDIT: Based on a post in another thread, I think it may be the early onset of pop-eye, but was planning to leave it another day, to make sure the symptons are correct, before adding and anti bacterial treatment.

 

[@ombomb]

Actually I think I have found it: Aplocheilichthys macrophthalmus

 

[The-Wolf]

that description sounds like a lampeye panchax
also called normans killiefish Micropanchax macrophthalmus

they are very susceptable to water conditions and are extreamly hard to keep alive in an aquarium.
I suspect that the reason they have lost the glow in the eyes is due to a change in water params, even if ammonia, nitrItes and nitrAtes are ok, there maybe something else effecting them, like phosphates, iron levels etc.

 

[@ombomb]

I'll do some further testing when I get home. What could cause a change in the phosphate / iron levels? And what is the best course of action if they are to blame?

 

[@ombomb]

UPDATE:

Came home from work, ready to check the condition of the patient and head up to the fish shop if needed, only to find that he has switched the lamps back on and is now happily swimming around the tank with the other four.