Blind Blue Spotted Puffer?????

[jyatteau]

I have had my puffer for about two and a half years now. He is one of my favorite and most finicky fish. I feed him by hand every day. I take very good care of my tanks. This tank has, including my puffer, a dragon goby and two blue chromis. Everything has been normal in my tank until yesterday. I went to feed my fish and my puffer could not seem to find the food I was holding for him. He kept swimming around it bumping into my hand and the rocks and walls in the tank. Today has been even worse. I can stick my hand in the tanks and grab him. When I do this it scares him and he swims away but runs into everything. It is almost like he is blind!! Has anyone ever herd of anything like this?? I would really appreciate some advise on what to do, I am worried I am going to lose my favorite fish. Thanks....

[Judge]

Hi Jyatteau, sorry to hear about your puffer. Here are a few things I discovered about possible causes. I am sure there are more but these seem to be the most common. First, cataracts are fairly common, eyes can appear opaque. Treat with Eye Fungex helps. Could also be a bacterial infection. If you can determine this is the cause, then treat with tetracycline. Lastly, excessive lighting and poor nutrition can also be culprits. You might observe your puffer closely and the research each of these..maybe you can pinpoint and treat before total blindness is complete and permanent. Good luck and keep us updated.