Fish going blind!

Iswiminmytank · 04/25/2018, 01:33 PM

Hi All!

I have just had the 3rd fish in my mainly SPS 450 gallon reef tank in the last year go completely blind out of nowhere. About 9 months ago it was a Bluethroat trigger. He sat in the upper corner of the tank and I could just reach in and grab him easily. He eventually died in my freezer after I got tired of the suffering. Next, about 3 months ago, was a Carpenter's Flasher wrasse. One day he was flashing and eating, then disappeared into the rocks for a few days, only to reemerge completely blind while feeding and trying to figure out how to get a bite. He disappeared a few days later. Now I have a supermale Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse, who is the dominant wrasse in my reef, and he is laying on the bottom looking perfectly healthy and not reacting to anything visual. 5 days ago this fish was the king of the tank and now he is nothing short of depressed. There was NOTHING wrong with this fish before, and no signs of cloudiness, parasites, etc. Is there a bacteria/virus that could be doing this? Maybe a coral that is stinging them? I have been doing this for 20 years and never seen anything like this, so I am lost for answers. Any input is greatly appreciated.

On a separate note, I have had all 3 of my mature Bartlett's Anthias have a popeye incident, and all 3 have fully recovered after about 2 weeks. One of them got it twice and is still fine. No other species of anthers. Do you think they are related?

04/25/2018, 01:33 PM	#1
Iswiminmytank Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 3	Fish going blind! Hi All! I have just had the 3rd fish in my mainly SPS 450 gallon reef tank in the last year go completely blind out of nowhere. About 9 months ago it was a Bluethroat trigger. He sat in the upper corner of the tank and I could just reach in and grab him easily. He eventually died in my freezer after I got tired of the suffering. Next, about 3 months ago, was a Carpenter's Flasher wrasse. One day he was flashing and eating, then disappeared into the rocks for a few days, only to reemerge completely blind while feeding and trying to figure out how to get a bite. He disappeared a few days later. Now I have a supermale Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse, who is the dominant wrasse in my reef, and he is laying on the bottom looking perfectly healthy and not reacting to anything visual. 5 days ago this fish was the king of the tank and now he is nothing short of depressed. There was NOTHING wrong with this fish before, and no signs of cloudiness, parasites, etc. Is there a bacteria/virus that could be doing this? Maybe a coral that is stinging them? I have been doing this for 20 years and never seen anything like this, so I am lost for answers. Any input is greatly appreciated. On a separate note, I have had all 3 of my mature Bartlett's Anthias have a popeye incident, and all 3 have fully recovered after about 2 weeks. One of them got it twice and is still fine. No other species of anthers. Do you think they are related?