Coral Beauty with a Damaged Eye

[erk]

Just looked at my tank and noticed my Coral Beauty Angel has what appears to be a damaged right eye. It is protruding slightly and is glassy looking. I don't think it is completely blind in that eye because it still seems to be able to see things around it and avoid them. I've had this fish for quite some time now. It was a rescue from Petco. Was very low weight and being bullied by a larger CB angel. It fattened up quickly and has been a great addition to my tank.



I'm not sure what caused the damaged eye. The only fish that fight with the angel are my swallowtail damsels. And they typically just flare fins then have a short chase. I'm wondering if maybe the angel got startled and hit a rock, or maybe the chasing caused it to hit a rock. I have seen other damage to it's head before. Loose scales around the top of the head.

I can't catch this fish, so a full tank treatment will be required.

1. Do you think the CB Angel will lose vision in its eye?
2. Would you start treatment ASAP or hold off until you notice an infection?
3. What do you recommend for treatment?
4. Would food soaked with some Prazipro be a good idea as a treatment option?

 

[Humblefish]

The least invasive treatment option would be dosing Epson salt (reef safe). 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water.

A more aggressive approach would be dosing erythromycin (an antibiotic) into a QT.

 

[Big G]

The first and most gentle treatment would to dose the display tank with 1 tablespoon of plain USP Epsom Salts per 5 gallon of tank water. But be prepared to setup a QT and dose with antibiotics if the eye doesn't show any improvement within a few days 5-7. In the QT you can treat with Erythromycine as the med of choice for eye infections. And lastly if that doesn't help the trifecta of Kanaplex + Furan2 + Metro dosed for 10-14 days is recommended. Be mindful that most meds work very slowly on fish. Patience

 

[Big G]

The least invasive treatment option would be dosing Epson salt (reef safe). 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water.

A more aggressive approach would be dosing erythromycin (an antibiotic) into a QT.

Jinx

 

[Humblefish]

Jinx

Great minds think alike

 

[Saveafish]

Looks like start or the after effects of Popeyes's. or scratched. After blowing up the pic. Does he have ick?

 

[4FordFamily]

Is there something on the eye itself? It’s toigh to see in the photo.

Also, I recommend the same treatment as @Big G and @Humblefish. Just remember to use pure/organic Epsom salt, no scents or additives. You can do two total doses, generally at least 24 hours apart.

 

[erk]

The least invasive treatment option would be dosing Epson salt (reef safe). 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water.

A more aggressive approach would be dosing erythromycin (an antibiotic) into a QT.

The first and most gentle treatment would to dose the display tank with 1 tablespoon of plain USP Epsom Salts per 5 gallon of tank water. But be prepared to setup a QT and dose with antibiotics if the eye doesn't show any improvement within a few days 5-7. In the QT you can treat with Erythromycine as the med of choice for eye infections. And lastly if that doesn't help the trifecta of Kanaplex + Furan2 + Metro dosed for 10-14 days is recommended. Be mindful that most meds work very slowly on fish. Patience

I'll start with Epsom salt. What affects on water chemistry should I expect?

@4FordFamily , @Big G , and @Humblefish , is this the stuff you would recommend?
https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday...-2-spons&fpw=pantry&keywords=epsom+salt&psc=1

Looks like start or the after effects of Popeyes's. or scratched. After blowing up the pic. Does he have ick?

He does not have ich. The specks are just free floating detritus. I don't use filter socks. I'm pretty sure it is scratched.

Is there something on the eye itself? It’s toigh to see in the photo.

I'm looking at the angel now and that opaque spot doesn't appear to be there anymore. So maybe it was some type of film over the eye? The eye is looking a bit cloudy still. Maybe it is producing a lot of slime to protect the eye?

 

[Big G]

I'll start with Epsom salt. What affects on water chemistry should I expect?

@4FordFamily , @Big G , and @Humblefish , is this the stuff you would recommend?
https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday...-2-spons&fpw=pantry&keywords=epsom+salt&psc=1



He does not have ich. The specks are just free floating detritus. I don't use filter socks. I'm pretty sure it is scratched.



I'm looking at the angel now and that opaque spot doesn't appear to be there anymore. So maybe it was some type of film over the eye? The eye is looking a bit cloudy still. Maybe it is producing a lot of slime to protect the eye?

Yes that's the right Epsom Salt. Plain USP unscented without any perfumes, etc. Dosing with Epsom Salt will raise the mg level in the tank a bit but is considered reef safe. The sulfate part of the dose effect on the tank is unknown but is considered reef safe and a very old tried and true method for reducing the effects of injuries and swelling.

 

[erk]

Yes that's the right Epsom Salt. Plain USP unscented without any perfumes, etc. Dosing with Epsom Salt will raise the mg level in the tank a bit but is considered reef safe. The sulfate part of the dose effect on the tank is unknown but is considered reef safe and a very old tried and true method for reducing the effects of injuries and swelling.

Awesome! Glad to hear that. I'll keep this thread updated as best I can with how things go. Who knows, maybe the angel will be fine tomorrow.

 

[erk]

I'm still waiting for the Epsom salt to be delivered, but I've kept an eye on the angel. I've noticed the swelling has gone down considerably. Still looks damaged, but at least it is on the road to recovery. I'm still planning to dose Epsom salt just to help the angel recover.

 

[Big G]

I'm still waiting for the Epsom salt to be delivered, but I've kept an eye on the angel. I've noticed the swelling has gone down considerably. Still looks damaged, but at least it is on the road to recovery. I'm still planning to dose Epsom salt just to help the angel recover.

Awesome news! Good high quality fresh or frozen foods with vitamins added will help the fish's immune system to do its job.

 

[erk]

Awesome news! Good high quality fresh or frozen foods with vitamins added will help the fish's immune system to do its job.

I feed LRS fish frenzy every night and add AF Fish V every few feedings.

 

[Big G]

Awesome. That's probably why your fish is recovering quickly. It's amazing how many people just feed pellets/flake

 

[erk]

I dosed the Epsom salt a couple days ago. I checked this morning once the lights came on and the angel appears to have healed up well. No discoloration or swelling of the eye. Angel is back to being a spunky little bully trying to boss the damsels around, but they always fight back. Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Big G]

Awesome news! Nice work!