Missing eye due to trauma

[thesauce]

I am sick over this, any advice is welcome. I introduced a Gobie into my tank on Friday. He was fine until Sunday when he disappeared. I attributed this to shyness and an adjustment period. He reappeared moments ago on the corner of the tank floor with a missing eye. It is clearly due to trauma and I am 99% sure it is the doing of a crab. What advice do you have regarding this fish? His eye is partially attached, but the trauma is so severe that I consider it missing. He accepted cyclopese when spot fed and was clearly hungry. I really don't want to prolong his suffering if there is nothing that can be done.

Any advice? Anyone else experienced this??

 

[KathyC]

If he is eating, the remnants of the eye will probably soon fall off. Just watch him, if he seems to be having issues, you might have to remove him to a QT tank to heal or treat an infection (NOT now, but if he does develop one).
It is not that uncommon for a fish to lose an eye and they can live a long happy life with just the one. Hopefully your other fish aren't overly aggressive.

I would be looking for the possible crab though!
If you have any idea where it may be lurking, put a clean glass leaning against the rick but mostly upright in the tank with a piece of heavy food (like a piece of a raw shrimp) in it and hopefully he will crawl in & get trapped.

 

[thesauce]

Thanks Kathy. We got the crab out asap...I've caught him picking at corals and going after other fish, this was the last straw. He should be left well enough alone, it is a peaceful tank. My major concern now is that he is dispondently sitting on the floor of the tank. I'll have to wait and see. I feel terrible.

 

[Dace]

really sorry to hear that, hope he pulls through

 

[KathyC]

Good that you got the crab out!
Will he eat mysis or pellets? You can soak some in Selcon (or any fish vitamin), or even garlic to keep up his immune system. He will probably heal up. An extra water change is always helpful too. I expect that if he still with you in 2 days, he will be fine (and I DO expect him to be with you in 2 days!) He might be sitting on the bottom comfortably because he knows the crab is gone...
Please do keep us updated!!

 

[frank arriaga]

Great good luck.

 

[thesauce]

Thanks for all the input and support. The jury is still out. He was not out this morning when I woke up, I'll keep you posted.