Blind Discus

jsm11482

So I have a Discus who has gone blind. I think he was partially blind, in one eye, when I got him or shortly after. He is now completely blind. This makes it very hard for him to eat, since the other Discus tend to gobble up everything quickly and blindy (that's his nickname) can't see the food so can't eat it that well. It has been a couple months and he is still alive so he must be getting some food somehow. He mostly sits in the corner of the tank and stays there almost all the time. Once in a while he will swim around and bump into things here and there.

He looks much worse this morning, he has sores on his skin now and is very thin. So I moved him to a hospital tank thinking that if he is alone he can relax and have a better chance at eating food.

I am hoping someone can give some pointers as to the best method of recovery (if possible) for this poor guy. I was thinking of just trying to feed him with a turkey baster, putting the food directly in front of his face (he can smell food but when he darts at it, he misses it all the time).

Any ideas? Thanks!

okiemavis

Will he go up to the surface to feed if he's aware there's food? If so, I'd get a feeding ring, which lets the food stay floating on the surface for a while in one spot, and gives him a chance to find it.

You can also use a food clip, which will hold his food in one place and give him a chance to pick at it. It's designed for veggies, but you could also probably clip some shrimp or something to give him some protein.

It's a good idea to separate him. Do you think the welts are from illness or physical injury? It's definitely possible the other guys were picking on him, or he's been swimming into things.

jsm11482

Thanks for the ideas - he's generally not that interested in food, he doesn't come over anymore during feedings. In fact, at last check he is just about dead. Still breathing (slowly) but he won't last past today as he is already discoloring. So sad, he will be missed!

okiemavis

Bummer. Unfortunately, I've had some practice in euthanasia lately, so let me know if have any questions about that. I use the clove oil/vodka method and it's very humane and peaceful.