sunken eyes? can I save her?

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 03 Jul 2003, 15:42

i have this large clown plec about 6-7 in. i think and i recently removed it from a 29gal. (with my crazy bloodlusted oscar) to a 20gal. I think I shocked it from the pH change...from 7.0 to 7.5 i think.

now it has noticible sunken eyes, but not severely sunken in...the belly is ok it hasn't sunk in YET...and it was eating well last night (algae flakes and bloodworms).

i lowered the pH...i need to check it after work today.
Question: when the eyes/belly is sunken in...what are my chances of saving it? it is not SEVERELY sunken...but NOTICEABLY sunken in...sigh...

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 03 Jul 2003, 15:43

here is the pic of her a while ago...before it was transferred...so beautiful

Vik · Post by **Vik** » 03 Jul 2003, 22:20

The odds of saving a plec with sunken eyes are low, but it has been done. Let's hope it is not an issue! Good luck to you!

aeroflight · Post by **aeroflight** » 04 Jul 2003, 02:18

What exactly does "sunken eyes" mean. Are the eyes literally withdrawn into the fish's head? Do you have a picture or two you could post? It might help me avoid such fish in the future (haven't had any trouble, yet)! Thanks!

azn_phil · Post by **azn_phil** » 04 Jul 2003, 13:29

sunken eyes are when the eyes are not slightly popped up like they are supposed to be.

You can notice it because you see the eyes are sunken under its exoskeleton...
and yes my clown plec right now it's eyes are noticeably flat with its exoarmour when viewed from the front....can anyone help?

König Löwe · Post by **König Löwe** » 04 Jul 2003, 13:46

Try searching for a thread about a Panaque with sunken eyes... I think the guy with the Panaque managed to save it from both sunken eyes and white spots at the same time.

Plec0maniac · Post by **Plec0maniac** » 04 Jul 2003, 13:55

The possibility of curing is very low.. I lost alot of plecs specially newly imported once.. But I was lucky once, I used bio cond, This is like black water extract with water conditioning in it, it removes ammonia, metals, etc.. I just raised the temp to 32.. and suddenly the plec got well.. Well this is my experience, gudluck with yours

Vik · Post by **Vik** » 04 Jul 2003, 19:36

I received a spotted royal with a caved belly and noticably sunken eyes not long ago and I managed to keep it alive. I made sure it had no competition, a large cave, low light and plenty of tempting foods right outside the cave so he/she didn't have to come out if it did not want to. I treated the water with MelaFix because there were sores on the tail, I also used a product called Immune Plus, which is a supplement for the water. I did not turn the tank lights on at all for 9 days. I used zucchini, blood worms, large krill, anything I could think of to entice it to eat and thank gosh, it did. Maybe I just got lucky, but I will do the same thing next time I have a sunken eyed pleco! I tried to mimic a natural environment and reduce any stressors I could (tank mates, light etc.).

Again, good luck to you! -Vicki