Can my GloFish Tetra survive if she’s blind

[dru_girl]

I rescued a GloFish Tetra from a neighbor. When I found out they are schooling fish, bought 2 more (I know 6 is ideal but I’m not physically capable of taking care of a tank that big.)
The orange and green fish have black eyes, the pink one has reddish eyes that seem more reflective than a normal fish eye. I, unfortunately, can’t remember if it was that way when I got her. Is it possible that she has gone blind? If so, can she survive?

 

[Oblio]

I rescued a GloFish Tetra from a neighbor. When I found out they are schooling fish, bought 2 more (I know 6 is ideal but I’m not physically capable of taking care of a tank that big.)
The orange and green fish have black eyes, the pink one has reddish eyes that seem more reflective than a normal fish eye. I, unfortunately, can’t remember if it was that way when I got her. Is it possible that she has gone blind? If so, can she survive?

I have several Glofish Tetras like that, they seem to get along fine.
How big is your tank?

 

[dru_girl]

I have several Glofish Tetras like that, they seem to get along fine.
How big is your tank?

It is 5.5 gallons. It’s a planted tank, but it only has 3 plants right now. I’m going to go get some more today.

 

[Oblio]

It is 5.5 gallons. It’s a planted tank, but it only has 3 plants right now. I’m going to go get some more today.

That is small.
We had a lone survivor (all alone in 115 g) orange Glofish with the colored eyes that would rarely move. We then added 9 new Glofish and it took 3-4 weeks before it began to school and appear normal, so what you may be seeing is acclimation behavior and not a vision problem.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

If it is blind (and unless the eyes are gone completely, that can be hard to tell exactly) then yes, it can still survive. Fish that have lost both eyes to predation have survived, because fish have other senses that tell them when there is food in the water.

Granted, it would be a huge disadvantage in the wild, and mean it would likely fall victim to some predator, but in an enclosed aquarium, it should be fine. You can try to target feed that one and watch to see if it eats if you're concerned.

The size of the tank really is a problem though. Do you have any plans to upgrade?

 

[dru_girl]

If it is blind (and unless the eyes are gone completely, that can be hard to tell exactly) then yes, it can still survive. Fish that have lost both eyes to predation have survived, because fish have other senses that tell them when there is food in the water.

Granted, it would be a huge disadvantage in the wild, and mean it would likely fall victim to some predator, but in an enclosed aquarium, it should be fine. You can try to target feed that one and watch to see if it eats if you're concerned.

The size of the tank really is a problem though. Do you have any plans to upgrade?

Thank you.

I really can’t. I’ve got a lot of physical limitations, I have to be able to easily clean the tank. As it is, I’m worn out and in pain by the time I’m finished.
Do these fish not fit the 1” per 1 gallon rule?
I’m not offended by your asking about upgrading. I do want them to be happy and will rehome them and get something better suited for a 5 gallon tank if I need to.

 

[dru_girl]

If it is blind (and unless the eyes are gone completely, that can be hard to tell exactly) then yes, it can still survive. Fish that have lost both eyes to predation have survived, because fish have other senses that tell them when there is food in the water.

Granted, it would be a huge disadvantage in the wild, and mean it would likely fall victim to some predator, but in an enclosed aquarium, it should be fine. You can try to target feed that one and watch to see if it eats if you're concerned.

The size of the tank really is a problem though. Do you have any plans to upgrade?

Okay. I just did some more googling….that I obviously should’ve done before I adopted one tetra and definitely before buying two more. To be happy I see that they need more in their school and a bigger tank. I will rehome them.

 

[Oblio]

Ar

Okay. I just did some more googling….that I obviously should’ve done before I adopted one tetra and definitely before buying two more. To be happy I see that they need more in their school and a bigger tank. I will rehome them.

Are you near Macon?

 

[dru_girl]

Okay. I just did some more googling….that I obviously should’ve done before I adopted one tetra and definitely before buying two more. To be happy I see that they need more in their school and a bigger tank. I will rehome them.

I’m near Augusta, so no. I would’ve been willing to drive to drop them off, but I can’t do that this weekend.
I found a knowledgeable person who took them. They should be very happy.

 

[dru_girl]

Ar

Are you near Macon?

I’m near Augusta, so no. I would’ve been willing to drive to drop them off, but I can’t do that this weekend.
I found a knowledgeable person who took them. They should be very happy.

 

[Oblio]

I’m near Augusta, so no. I would’ve been willing to drive to drop them off, but I can’t do that this weekend.
I found a knowledgeable person who took them. They should be very happy.

Were they Black Skirts? That is what I have, I'm looking to pick up some more at the LPS since I only have 9 right now.

 

[dru_girl]

Were they Black Skirts? That is what I have, I'm looking to pick up some more at the LPS since I only have 9 right now.

I don’t think so. They were GloFish.

 

[Essjay]

There are several species which have GloFish varieties including danios, tetras, barbs and even bettas. If yours look like the images of GloFish tetras, they are genetically modified black skirt tetras.

Glofish | GloFish®

www.glofish.com

 

[dru_girl]

There are several species which have GloFish varieties including danios, tetras, barbs and even bettas. If yours look like the images of GloFish tetras, they are genetically modified black skirt tetras.

Glofish | GloFish®

www.glofish.com

Yes. The subject line on my post says they are GloFish Tetras.

 

[Essjay]

When Oblio asked

Were they Black Skirts?

the answer is yes as black skirts are the only tetras yet to have been genetically modified to create GloFish. Though there are possibly more tetra species in the pipeline.