Possible parasite/infection

[B Considine]

I noticed that several of my fish (pprimarily my tetras, but also a cory) have cloudy eyes, almost as if they have cataracts. Several have had these spots for ages, but I have noticed them on some newer fish. The afflicted fish seem otherwise fine.

Is this a parasite or some sort of bacterial infection? If so, what treatment methods do you propose? I don't have a quarantine tank per se, unless I take apart the nano.

Blaise

[Cristy Keister]

I'm no where near an expert in this area, but I'll tell you what I've heard. If one eye on a fish is cloudy it's usually due to an injury, but is sometimes a parasite or infection. If both eyes are cloudy it can be due to the water that is too hard or too soft for the fish. Ask Andrew or Jim for more info.

[Spine]

Blaise,
I looked in a couple of my fish health books and they seem to agree with what Cristy has said. There are flukes that can effect the eyes and poor water conditions is another cause. They say that the flukes shouldn't be life threatening and suggest getting rid of snails in your tank to break the flukes life cycle along with good old water changes.

[B Considine]

Thanks guys.

I'll blame the nerites. I change approximately 12 gallons/week in a 30-gallon tank, so I doubt water quality is an issue, unless it's tied to some parameter I'm not monitoring. I'll take a sample to SCALES this weekend for testing.

I hope I'm not going to have to start dosing meds.