Port Jackson Sharks HELP!

[Georgiec]

Hi all!
New on here and looking for some help.
We have 2 port jackson sharks along with many fish in our tank. Have had them for a few years now with no problems previously.
2 days ago both sharks eyes initially turned a little cloudy but then one developed a blood spot. Today the eyes appear to be secreting some thing and there looks like a hole through the eye. Has also developed a bulg - will attach photo. Still feeding but looks a little disorientated when swimming. Water is changed regularly and normal limits when tested.
Any help would be very appreciated!
Thanks

 

[Billdogg]

Are they both like that? I'd suspect a physical injury that is now a bacterial or fungal infection. If they are eating, you can inject the proper medication into the food and dose them that way. As to what medication? I'm not sure but would guess Furacyn or amoxicillin (or both?)

Perhaps someone else will chime in with a better choice????

 

[StlSalt]

If this was in the Fish Disease and Treatment forum, I bet @Jay Hemdal would see it faster.

 

[brandon429]

We need a full tank picture standing back, the ratios shown in the live rock vs length vs height apparent in a full tank shot matter greatly to overall picture. Was going to get an overall idea of the age of the tank from the pics

curious how long sharks have been in system

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi all!
New on here and looking for some help.
We have 2 port jackson sharks along with many fish in our tank. Have had them for a few years now with no problems previously.
2 days ago both sharks eyes initially turned a little cloudy but then one developed a blood spot. Today the eyes appear to be secreting some thing and there looks like a hole through the eye. Has also developed a bulg - will attach photo. Still feeding but looks a little disorientated when swimming. Water is changed regularly and normal limits when tested.
Any help would be very appreciated!
Thanks

Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

Both of your sharks have goiter. This is really common with sharks in captivity, and once it reaches a certain point, it sometimes isn't reversible. The goiter shows as the bump on each fish's lower jaw - that's an enlarged thyroid. The way to get rid of that is to dose the food with potassium iodide. I use Mazuri shark vits, but I doubt they are available in Australia. You might call a public aquarium and ask them what they use. You can also dose the food directly with iodide, at 2.5 mg per pound of fish each week for 5 doses. This is a very small amount though, and you have to put it in a tiny gelatin capsule so the fish won't taste it. Adding iodide or iodine to the water won't work.

The eye damage isn't related to the goiter, but it could be related to general vitamin deficiency. It could also be an infection from an injury, Dosing antibiotics in the tank is going to be an issue, you'll need to dose the food. Take a look at the articles section here on Reef2Reef - 8 or so articles down is one I wrote on medicated food.

Finally, as you may know, Port Jacksons prefer cooler water. They can live at tropical temperatures for a time, but it is stressful to them. Below 21 C. is best.


Jay

 

[Georgiec]

Hi, welcome to Reef2Reef!

Both of your sharks have goiter. This is really common with sharks in captivity, and once it reaches a certain point, it sometimes isn't reversible. The goiter shows as the bump on each fish's lower jaw - that's an enlarged thyroid. The way to get rid of that is to dose the food with potassium iodide. I use Mazuri shark vits, but I doubt they are available in Australia. You might call a public aquarium and ask them what they use. You can also dose the food directly with iodide, at 2.5 mg per pound of fish each week for 5 doses. This is a very small amount though, and you have to put it in a tiny gelatin capsule so the fish won't taste it. Adding iodide or iodine to the water won't work.

The eye damage isn't related to the goiter, but it could be related to general vitamin deficiency. It could also be an infection from an injury, Dosing antibiotics in the tank is going to be an issue, you'll need to dose the food. Take a look at the articles section here on Reef2Reef - 8 or so articles down is one I wrote on medicated food.

Finally, as you may know, Port Jacksons prefer cooler water. They can live at tropical temperatures for a time, but it is stressful to them. Below 21 C. is best.


Jay

Thanks so much, this is so helpful! Will have a look at those articles and follow up at local aquarium today regarding the goiter. Really appreciate this

 

[Georgiec]

We need a full tank picture standing back, the ratios shown in the live rock vs length vs height apparent in a full tank shot matter greatly to overall picture. Was going to get an overall idea of the age of the tank from the pics

curious how long sharks have been in system

Tank is 6ft 1000L
Sharks have been in more than 2 years along with majority of all other fish

 

[Georgiec]

If this was in the Fish Disease and Treatment forum, I bet @Jay Hemdal would see it faster.

Thanks! Will head there next time

 

[Georgiec]

Are they both like that? I'd suspect a physical injury that is now a bacterial or fungal infection. If they are eating, you can inject the proper medication into the food and dose them that way. As to what medication? I'm not sure but would guess Furacyn or amoxicillin (or both?)

Perhaps someone else will chime in with a better choice????

Thanks

 

[alprazo]

Agree with goiter. The mazuri vits, are pricey but you can often find someone to split a purchase with you. They are a must IMO. Some will spit out and like mentioned, and for those I supplement food with potassium iodide but it lacks the other supplement included in the vitamins. As for the eye, most likely trauma and possibly a secondary infection. I would act fast with antibiotics. Baytril or enrofloxacin is usually my go to. If you have a vet friend, the intramuscular injection is the easiest, but the tabs work well if the shark is eating. The pharmacopeia from the first elasmobranch husbandry manual is a good go to source for drug delivery and dosing.