Sudden Blindness in Rabbitfish?

[mike550]

Hello all. I’ve skimmed this forum on blindness and not sure that I’ve picked up on the cause or the remedy. I have a rabbitfish that up until a couple of days ago was acting completely normal. But in the past two days it’s acting more like it can’t see. It hangs out in the corners and bottom on the tank and is very lethargic. We even watched food go right past it. Fingers crossed the other fish seem to be unaffected.

I moved the rabbitfish to a QT which was easy to do since it really didn’t react to the net. I’ve read possibilities include flukes but also a “mystery” so not sure what to do. Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gareth elliott]

What is the diet? Some vitamin deficiencies besides parasites can also cause blindness. I am not sure it’s reversible? @4FordFamily
But perhaps besides treatment also add vitachem or other vitamin additive to the food.

 

[mike550]

What is the diet? Some vitamin deficiencies besides parasites can also cause blindness. I am not sure it’s reversible? @4FordFamily
But perhaps besides treatment also add vitachem or other vitamin additive to the food.

I‘m feeding Hikari Marine S and supplementing with frozen brine shrimp. Interesting thought on the diet.

 

[Big G]

How long have you had the Rabbitfish?

Are the eyes clear or cloudy? Both cloudy would indicate a bacterial infection. Erythromycin (aka Maracyn 1) is the med of choice for bacterial infections of the eyes.

 

[mike550]

How long have you had the Rabbitfish?

Are the eyes clear or cloudy? Both cloudy would indicate a bacterial infection. Erythromycin (aka Maracyn 1) is the med of choice for bacterial infections of the eyes.

I’ve had the fish for a couple of months now. Is erythromycin / Marscyn 1 something readily available? I’m not against treating as it’s alone in QT

 

[Big G]

Maracyn 1 is a bit hard to find. But API Erythromycin is readily available at most retail fish stores, Amazon, Petsmart, etc.

 

[mike550]

Maracyn 1 is a bit hard to find. But API Erythromycin is readily available at most retail fish stores, Amazon, Petsmart, etc.

Thanks!

 

[4FordFamily]

How long have you had the Rabbitfish?

Are the eyes clear or cloudy? Both cloudy would indicate a bacterial infection. Erythromycin (aka Maracyn 1) is the med of choice for bacterial infections of the eyes.

I agree. Are the eyes cloudy? I would not treat if not

 

[mike550]

@4FordFamily @Big G

Thank you all. I will get some erythromycin today if possible. Also, any thoughts on Maracyn 2 as an alternative? It looks like a broader based antibiotic but not sure if it’s as effective as erythromycin?

I‘ll keep you all posted!

 

[4FordFamily]

@4FordFamily @Big G

Thank you all. I will get some erythromycin today if possible. Also, any thoughts on Maracyn 2 as an alternative? It looks like a broader based antibiotic but not sure if it’s as effective as erythromycin?

I‘ll keep you all posted!

It might work, but I would lean toward Erythromycin as it seems to work better with eye infections.

Are the fish's eyes cloudy? If not, I would advise against antibiotic treatment.

 

[Big G]

@4FordFamily @Big G

Thank you all. I will get some erythromycin today if possible. Also, any thoughts on Maracyn 2 as an alternative? It looks like a broader based antibiotic but not sure if it’s as effective as erythromycin?

I‘ll keep you all posted!

Maracyn 2 is a wide spectrum antibiotic, but it does have some problems as it can be harsh on the biofilter. Which can create bacterial blooms - yikes! I tend to avoid it in favor of other antibiotics when needed.

 

[mike550]

@Big G @4FordFamily I was able to find API erythromycin and have started the course of treatment. Yes, the eyes are a bit cloudy (similar to glaucoma) fish keeps bumping in to things. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Big G]

10-14 days. Meds work slowly on fish. Best of luck.

 

[mike550]

10-14 days. Meds work slowly on fish. Best of luck.

Oops. Should have bought more meds! No worries. Thanks @Big G

 

[mike550]

Quick update on my rabbitfish. As part of the treatment I also did a freshwater dip for a few minutes and it seems like some white ”things” may have come off. So that was encouraging. But I’m also on day four of erythromycin treatment and really no changes, and the fish is swimming a bit more actively. But still not reacting to visual cues or seeing food which is very concerning. I’m going to continue erythromycin.

Would appreciate thoughts.

@Big G @4FordFamily

 

[4FordFamily]

4 days isn’t much for antibiotics it can take quite a while to notice much visual improvement.

If stuff fell off you’ve likely dislodged flukes.

 

[Malifry97]

Quick update on my rabbitfish. As part of the treatment I also did a freshwater dip for a few minutes and it seems like some white ”things” may have come off. So that was encouraging. But I’m also on day four of erythromycin treatment and really no changes, and the fish is swimming a bit more actively. But still not reacting to visual cues or seeing food which is very concerning. I’m going to continue erythromycin.

Would appreciate thoughts.

@Big G @4FordFamily

White things falling off sounds like flukes...treat with prazipro

 

[mike550]

@Malifry97 can I treat erythromycin and prazi together? or are you saying it’s “for sure“ flukes since we saw something come off and erythromycin won’t help.

 

[zalick]

I would say almost certainly flukes. They look like little opaque shavings. Fall off easily with a FW dip.

 

[Malifry97]

@Malifry97 can I treat erythromycin and prazi together? or are you saying it’s “for sure“ flukes since we saw something come off and erythromycin won’t help.

I’m saying it is almost certainly flukes and I would start prazi treatment