Achilles tang issue with eye

[MoH]

So my Achilles tang has a messed up eye it appears to be slightly bulging out and has an opaque or cloudy color and appearance. It is only in 1 eye. I am not sure if this is physical damage from tang aggression and fighting in the tank (super annoying but it’s constantly a battle in here nowadays) or if we are looking at flukes in the eye or something else. Overall the fish in the tank are all active and eating. I do not see anything alarming besides this in the tank. I tried to fish him out for a good 30-40 min but was unable to and most likely just stressed him out. If this looks like flukes I can fresh water dip move to qt and run prazi but before I drain over 100 gallons of water and move out tons of rock to make it easy to catch this guy I wanted to see what others thought this could be.

Attached image for parameters
I can’t take a good enough pic since the fish is very active so I am attaching a video

 

[MoH]

So my Achilles tang has a messed up eye it appears to be slightly bulging out and has an opaque or cloudy color and appearance. It is only in 1 eye. I am not sure if this is physical damage from tang aggression and fighting in the tank (super annoying but it’s constantly a battle in here nowadays) or if we are looking at flukes in the eye or something else. Overall the fish in the tank are all active and eating. I do not see anything alarming besides this in the tank. I tried to fish him out for a good 30-40 min but was unable to and most likely just stressed him out. If this looks like flukes I can fresh water dip move to qt and run prazi but before I drain over 100 gallons of water and move out tons of rock to make it easy to catch this guy I wanted to see what others thought this could be.

Attached image for parameters
I can’t take a good enough pic since the fish is very active so I am attaching a video

 

[fishguy242]

hi,i'm no expert,but agree see no other signs on all fish appears to be injury,but lets call the Dr. anyway, @Jay Hemdal ,best wishes ,hang tight on tearing tank apart ,and trying to catch ,less stress

 

[MoH]

hi,i'm no expert,but agree see no other signs on all fish appears to be injury,but lets call the Dr. anyway, @Jay Hemdal ,best wishes ,hang tight on tearing tank apart ,and trying to catch ,less stress

Cool man! Can you let me know if the videos work?

 

[fishguy242]

yes they worked for me.

 

[MoH]

yes they worked for me.

Thanks for whatever reason they do not play when I click them thought maybe I attached it wrong

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Pictures taken under blue (instead of white) lights are really difficult to view. I ran the video and it was a bit better. Understanding that I didn't get a really good look at the fish, I also think it is an injury. Flukes will eventually show up with both eyes being cloudy (they can start in just one eye, but that soon progresses). In addition, flukes will show some tattered fins and blotchy skin.

Since the fish will be so difficult to capture, I think you should just wait it out. You would likely cause more damage chasing it around. If you do decide to treat it, I would suggest Erythromycin (Maracyn 1) in a treatment tank for 5 to 7 days. Of course, this fish is going to be really stressed out from that, so another reason to try to wait it out.

Jay

 

[MoH]

Pictures taken under blue (instead of white) lights are really difficult to view. I ran the video and it was a bit better. Understanding that I didn't get a really good look at the fish, I also think it is an injury. Flukes will eventually show up with both eyes being cloudy (they can start in just one eye, but that soon progresses). In addition, flukes will show some tattered fins and blotchy skin.

Since the fish will be so difficult to capture, I think you should just wait it out. You would likely cause more damage chasing it around. If you do decide to treat it, I would suggest Erythromycin (Maracyn 1) in a treatment tank for 5 to 7 days. Of course, this fish is going to be really stressed out from that, so another reason to try to wait it out.

Jay

thank you for the feedback. I will attempt to take some additional pics of this fish under whites today and post them here so you can get a better look at the fish

 

[vetteguy53081]

The Popeyes/foggy eye is an indicator of injury and/or scratch
Two cloudy eyes generally suggest infection
Assure water quality and diet are optimal for best chance of recovery

 

[MoH]

Hey guys just want to give an update for those following. The tang’s eye appears to be getting less cloudy or white/hazy in color and slightly appearing to look more black/normal. It is still slightly swollen compared to the other. He is eating well and very active. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Recommended foods:

Spirulina brine shrimp
LRS herbivore formula
nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
mysis shrimp
small plankton
Formula 2 flake and frozen

Add garlic extract 2-3 days per week to food and selcon vitamins on alternating days.

 

[MoH]

Hey guys final update - The eye looks completely normal as of today no tint of white or cloudiness at all!