Marble Hatchet Fish Lost both eyes!

J

justcarol

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Jan 9, 2003
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I came home one day to discover that one of my marble hatchet fish is missing both eyes. All the fish in the tank have been together for awhile. I have never seen any real signs of aggression. There are 4 hatchet fish, a betta, 2 aquatic frogs, a spotted dojo and a small loach. None of the other hatchet fish are missing eyes or look harmed in any way. I don't know much about fish anatomy. Would an injury to one eye, possibly cause the loss of both eyes? Also, this fish is now very opaque in color. He (or perhaps she) totally lacks the marbling he once had. However, aside from all this, the fish seems none the worse for wear. I dare say I seem more traumatized than he does. It has been over a week since this occurred. He is able to sense the disturbance when I open the lid and put food in. As such he does a great job of eating his fill.

Any insight as to what might have happened would be greatly appreciated. Also, two areas of concern are: 1) whether it is possible that this is a disease that is putting my other fish at risk. 2) If he isn't diseased and just the victim of some kind of mishap, are there any special precautions I should take to assure he stays healthy now that he has no eyes.

Thanks in advance for everyone's assistance!

-Carol
 
Maybe he hit his noggin'

This may sound a little far-fetched but he may have injured himself jumping. How far is your lid from the water? Hatchetfish are known to jump a few inches. It may sound strange that it could lose both eyes but I've seen even stranger things happen.
 
Pop-Eye Syndrome. Happened to my Irridescent sharks three times (3 eyes). I hear its a cause of Ammonia, maybe someone else can offer you more info
 
he pry just decided he wanted to be different from the croud so he mutalated himself and changed his color. His defense is that he functions normally like any other fish, he just chose to express his individuality through removing his eyes.

he might also try to claim that he uses a wireless service to transmit images his eyes pick up from the bottom of the tank to his brain, thus enabling him to see. scientists would be skepticle and most likely his claims will come out false, seeing as his eyes will quickly deteriorate without him knowing and his eyes will no long be there to fulfill his claims. nevertheless he will persist that it worked when they were there.

whatever the reason, Im sure he doesnt mind too much. so long as he isnt killed in the process.
 
Thanks to everyone that has replied thus far. The little fellow is still doing fine.

Mr. Jingles...how weird...that was exactly what I was thinking might have happened. I mean if I had a nickel for every eye- popping-wireless-message-sight-receiving fish that crossed my path...:p

Seriously though major style points to Mr. Jingles
 
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