Black Moor eye problem...Help!!

vinosel · 07-13-2010, 02:59 PM

I have two black moors in my freshwater aquarium. Today after adding the decorations, the moors have developed a white patch on both the eyes. Nothing on the body or fin, only the eyes.

The other fish seem to be quite healthy and swimming along very well. One of the moor seems to be drained out and sits at the bottom.

The other fish also try to peck at the white patches on the eye!

It has been only a week now and I have changed the water twice.

May this be signs of Ich or a fungal infection?

Please pitch in your ideas guys. Need your help real bad.
Thnx.

ZeroSystem · 07-13-2010, 06:41 PM

Yikes, this doesn't sound good. Moor's have delicate eyes and it's possible that some of the fish (the black skirt tetra comes to mind here) could be picking on him. It's also a possibility that it is some sort of an infection (although not ich, which is a parasite that looks like tiny white dots all over the fish) and may require some medication. Do you know what your fish tanks water parameters are? Things like Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, PH, KH, GH and the like? You may want to have your water tested and then post the results of the test here. Make sure you get actual numbers for the parameters listed, not just an "all clear" comment from a pet store employee!

vinosel · 07-14-2010, 02:28 PM

Thank you Zerosystem for that advice.

Yeah as you say, it must be something to do with the black skirt tetra. I introduced the Black moors, two other goldfishes and two angelfishes first into the tank. (After I first set it up for one day). They all seemed to be doing very well in the tank. No conflict b/w them.

Then after 5 days, I bought another 7 fishes and introduced them into the tank (Tetras, oranda and the mollys). As I had said in my thread in the "Freshwater Aquariums - General Discussion", the black skirt tetra seemed to be aggressive and chase away the moors. But the other fish seemed to have no problem with the black skirt tetra.

I thought things might settle down after a few days, but suddenly yesterday I found those patches on their eyes and their eyes bulged badly.

I thought of getting some medication for the fish today, from the pet store but before I could do that the moors died, this morning. I woke up in the morning and they were floating on top.

So, to prevent this from happening to the other fish, should I remove the black skirt tetra? Well, I did change 80% the water this morning and the other fishes seem to be healthy.

I would also like to ask the best way possible to measure the parameters you have suggested. (PH and so on). The pet store employee also provided me with a solution to remove the chlorines and chloramines, of which I use 6 drops after every water change. He also suggested that I add some salt to the water.

Are the things that I do after the water change sufficient to maintain a healthy fish environment? Are my other fishes in danger because of the black skirt tetra?

Looking forward to your reply.

ZeroSystem · 07-14-2010, 06:13 PM

The Black Skirt tetra doesn't really mix too well with some of the other fish that you have, and they should be kept in a group of their own kind consisting of at least six or more. The Goldfish also do not mix well with the others due to different water temperature and diet requirements.

It seems to me, from what you've written so far, that you've only had your aquarium setup for 6 or 7 days or so. It usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks for a tank to finish the 'Nitrogen Cycle' and become a safe place for your fish. Ammonia and other toxic chemicals will be present until the cycle is complete, and can they harm and even kill your fish. Whats worse is having a larger number of fish will increase the amount of these chemicals within the tank and make things even harder for them to survive. For this reason it's often recommended to cycle your aquarium using the 'fishless cycle' method. This whole process is gone over in much more detail in the Video Tutorials, which can be found here:

http://www.fishtankforums.com/16-sit...tutorials.html

The best way to test your water is to purchase your own water testing kit. There are two different types that are commonly available; Liquid Test kits and Test Strips. The test strips are quick and easy to use, but not very accurate and has a much more limited amount of uses before needing to buy more strips. The liquid test kits are a bit more involved as far as their use, requiring the user to mix chemicals and add so many drops of water and then waiting several minutes for results. That being said they are much more accurate and last much longer than the test strips do. Which ever you choose make sure you can test for at least Ammonia, NitrIte, NitrAte, PH, GH (hardness), and KH (alkalinity).

Hopefully all of that made sence and I appologize if there are any errors or misunderstandings in my post here.. I haven't slept in nearly 24 hours.. Blah!

vinosel · 07-15-2010, 02:59 PM

Yes it all made sense....Thank you again for your advice. Appreciate your commitment to the forum!

Sure, I will separate the black tetra and the rest of the fishes, even though it seems to be getting along well with the others.

I will get the liquid testing kit too, just to make sure all my other fish will be acclimated to the water here in Doha, Qatar. The others seem to be very active and doing well. The water is very clear now and have added some decorations too for the fish to enjoy.

Thnx again for your advice.