My black moor’s eyes fell out!?
I have had a black moor goldfish for about a year now. Yesterday morning I woke up to find one of his eyes completely gone…there was only a cavity left where the eye once was. I know for a fact his eye was there the night before because before I turn the aquarium light off at night I check out all my fish (I care for them very much, they’re pets, not just decorations as other people might find fish to be 
) ). I have been checking in on him periodically through out yesterday and today to make sure he’s okay and still alive. I checked on him this afternoon and literally a half hour later, I went in my room to change and I looked in my tank and his other eye was gone!!!! Has anyone ever heard of this before? He’s shared the tank with another black moor, a ryukin goldfish, and 2 african dwarf frogs for as long as I’ve had him. They are in a 12 gallon tank. I take good care of the tank and he is fed well, so I can’t imagine that it is anything that I have done that would cause both of his eyes to fall out. Will he die or can he live without any eyes?
From what I’ve heard is that for every inch of fish you need a gallon of water; I don’t have huge fish…so I’m not thinking my tank is over crowded. Also, my frogs are tiny tiny and have never been aggressive (they aren’t the clawed frogs). I have never seen them touch the fish, let alone do something to their eyes. I really appreciate everyone’s input though! I’m just curious if anyone has heard of this happening?
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I know that African Clawed frogs are very vicious, So it could be that they attacked him. They are illegal in California, I believe, because they were once let loose and they devastated the ecosystem. They will eat anything that moves and fits in their mouth, and will sometimes try to eat bigger things. if it’s not them, I don’t know.
I think he will die and I think him/her dieing is the best. Can you imagine if your eyes fell our? Imagine the physical pain!!! Imagine the mental pain! Imagine never seeing again. Imagine having to rely on all your other senses just to get some food. Then what? You get your food and you live? But why are you living? What is the point? All you do is get your food and then swim around.. Wait, you don’t even swim around, you just float! Waiting for the food to return just to repeat the process. I’m not saying you should kill him… But I do think he will die.
Like Ben said african clawed frogs/African dwarf frogs are vicious they probably scratched the eye out while it was resting or scavenging for food
How sad. That’s horrible. I know it sounds bad, but you should euthanize him. He shouldn’t have to suffer on like that. It was one of the other fish or the frogs, I’m assuming. You can buy fish anesthetics, overdosing on that is the best way for a fish to go.
I’m sorry to hear that. The decision is yours, but I think you should euthanize him.
Aside from the possibility that the dwarf frogs are the culprit, some goldfish can also suck out the eyes of tank mates. As good of care you give your fish and your frogs, they are overcrowded in a 12 gallon tank. If any of them get territorial, it is possible that they are the reason the eyes are missing, or even having been scratched against a decoration or filter intake.
Sorry to hear about your fish. Goldfish without eyes can still find food, they’re just at a disadvantage if they’re in a crowded tank. Euthanization should be a last resort, and I would recommend it only if your black moor is unable to find food and is wasting away.
If possible, I would look into a bigger tank for your goldfish so the frogs can keep the 12 gallon tank.
EDIT::
If you’re following the 1in of fish per gallon rule, it’s 1in per gallon for the full grown size of the fish. Goldfish get to be 8″+ if they’re fancy. In the end, it is up to you to determine whether or not you think your tank is overstocked.
upgrade time!!!!all them fish/animals cant live in that small of room all them together should be in around a 270 gallon tank goodluck with that..
I’m sorry to hear that but I’ve often heard of other fish eating eachothers eyes. They most likely aren’t being fed well/enough and saw those little eyes as tasty and easy treats. The best thing you could’ve done would’ve been to take him out and separate him from other fish/frogs once you saw an eye missing to avoid more damage. I don’t suggest killing the poor fish, he’s just had some bad luck. I know if something like that were to happen to one of my fish i’d spoil him rotten. All the fish needs now is love. check the fish tank for possible hazards such as sharp corners on objects and leave the fish in the tank. He’ll be fine swimming around the tank and feeling everything around him. Feed him well and give him treats from time to time and he’ll be a happy fish
good luck.
I work in the pet department of a large retail store. We see this happen once in a while. He probably won’t lie much longer without both eyes. In cases where they lose one eye, they still can live with the other eye. I doubt the other fish are causing it, because black moors and ryukins can live together. Im not familar with the african dwarf frogs, because we don’t sell them at my store.
If you want to upgrade, you can. But that’s your decision.