Sick Black Moore, Need Urgent Help

[Mia S]

Hi all,

I have a tropical set up, with just the one black moore, a left over from my goldfish days. Ive been away for work for 6 weeks, (my man was looking after the babies), and when I came back she seems to have gone blind.

Her right eye looks normal but she bumps into everythig on that side anyway, and the left eye has deflated somewhat, its just not as big, has a small scratch with some flesh exposed, what looks like a round hole direcly above it (about 1mm across), and the eye lids have completely closed over, and are pale, almost white. She's gone from being active to sitting on gravel most of the day, fins down.

She is in a 5' tank, planted, 22celsius, and since I live on a farm, the tank is on rain water only, so no chemicals are required. Im pretty sure this must have started off as an injury, all the other fish in the tank are fine.
What can I do to help her, or is it better to put her out of her misery?

Any suggestions welcome, thanks

 

[Colin_T]

Make sure the water quality is fine. Most goldfish problems are related to poor water quality. If the fish is healthy (besides the eye), and in good conditions (healthy tank) then the problem should clear up by itself. If the eye gets infected then it may require medication. Once the eye has healed the fish should be fine and continue living a pretty normal life. Often the fish will swim with one side against the glass. They keep the blind eye towards the side of the tank so they can use their good eye to keep an eye out for predators. Once the fish realises the tank is safe it will start to swim around in other areas.
The fish can live for years with only one eye so there is no need to euthanase it.

 

[Mia S]

OK, thank you, I'll give it a few days before deciding. The tank water is crystal clear right now, it probably wasnt while I was away and thats when the problem occured. The last time I had a sick fish was in 2002, Ive forgotten what to do when things go wrong!
Do you treating the tank with Melafix will help?

 

[Colin_T]

Melafix should help if it is minor infection but do some water changes as well to make sure the water is perfect.