Scratched eyes?

[mongster]

Hiya all at Aromedics!!

This is my first post in Arofanatics although I have been visiting the site almost everyday now since I got my RTG, I hope someone can help me with my problem. I've had my RTG for nearly a month and a half now and he's been in relatively good health with a voracious appetite. Today I noticed white lines on my RTGs' left eye. It doesn't look like a fungal growth as the lines are a)very fine and straight, b)not protruding but flat along the eye.

These lines are very fine and tiny, a couple of millimeters long only. My worry is that he must have scratched the surface of his eyes against either the glass (unlikely) or the light diffuser cover (more likely). He does not have a serious jumping problem, maybe once every two days, but the scratch marks are worrying.

Will these marks heal on their own given time? He does not seem adversely affected (appetite still big, no loss of sight, still chases feeders, swimming/behaving normally, responsive - comes to me when i approach the tank etc) Will there be any long-term consequences?

Thanks very much in advance for any insight into this matter!!

mongster

[Hobbit6003]

Hi mongster,

The scratch mark that you see are probably superficial, as the slime coating around the eyes got truamatised.

I think by the time you read this reply, the scratch line would probably has disappear. It happens to my RTG many times, as there're to many things he can scratch himself with in my tank. It usually takes about 4-6 hrs before it goes away.

Cheers,

Kenny

[mongster]

Hiya Hobbit!!

Thanks for the reassuarance. As the scratches are pretty small, its hard to see incremental improvements so soon. Nonetheless, I am glad to hear that the scratches are probably superficial, will monitor and keep fingers crossed!!

Nice RTG you got there, esp like the planted tank concept!!

Many thanks once again!! :D

mongster

[Isna]

Welcome mongster!!

good to hear that your aro is still generally ' happy'.
i've got nothing to add really.....totally agree with Kenny.
u'll b surprised at how fast such wounds heal. The fact that it's not cloudy implies that it's really superficial. :D

u should write up a whole article or 2 about planted aquariums Kenny. i've tried in the past to incorporate plants, but have never been successful....need some pointers bro:D

keep us updated on your rtg mongster, n good luck:D

[Hobbit6003]

Hi Mongster,

Thanks for your compliment! It is just a RTG, but it has come a long way with me, I've grown so attached to him that I'm unwilling to part with him, even though I'm tempted to keep a red. (I'm only allowed to keep a single tank, for the sake of esthetics of my house, my wife said :D )

Isna,

Yeah, it is not easy maintaining a planted aquaria, with so many parameters to keep an eye of. However, it is truely rewarding just by coming home and looking at your aro swimming leisurely in the midst of the photosynthesising plants!:)

I'm keeping a diary on it, and I've contributed an article to the Arowana Club's opening article. It is still an unfinish job, as the whole dynamism of the aquaria keeps the diary chronicle going. I'm planning to submit something to the Aquatic Gardener of America sometime next year, of which I'm a member.

Come next June, I plan to do a bigger planted aro aquaria (hopefully a 8 fter) in my new house. We're looking for a place actively now, and have yet to find an ideal home where it can accomodate my dream tank and not compromise on the esthetics of the house. At worse, I might settle for a 6 fter.:(

I'm now updating my gallery once a month, and hope that the RTG will grow into a beauty one day.:)

Cheers,

Kenny

[Isna]

Cheers Kenny.
will fish out that article for a good read:)

hey, a word about tank selection, always go for the bigger one bro. the bigger the better!
how often do u get a new tank? u're kinda stuck with one once u've got it......haha. i suppose it applies even more to a house.....choose wisely:D no rush right?:D