This is my first time here and if anyone has input, please send me an email at FllSpdAhd1@aol.com. THANK YOU!
I have a 19 year old comet. He's in a 20 gallon by himself with a filter and air stone. The water parameters are all normal and have been.
About a year ago I noticed a white film across the left eye. The right eye remains clear. I talked with the local fish store guy and he's been providing me with antibiotics. We have been through at least 6 cycles of antibiotics in the last year and the whiteness never went away.
Just yesterday the eye puffed out and looks to be hemorraging. I started with another dose of antibiotics. Something stronger (don't have the box here w/me at work, but I believe it starts w/a T) and the eye looks like it's shedding skin now.
I am very worried that my fish is suffering tho he eats, swims and defecates normally.
Does anyone know what it would be? The fish store guy seems to think it's incurable and we should euth the fish. If by my description it sounds like death is immenent is there a humane way to euth? I read about 1 cc clove oil to 2 cc's vodka per each gallon is the kindest way. Anyone hear of this?
I know this sounds strange, but if they eye falls out can he survive in good condition?
I am really distraught (crying right now) and want to do the best for the fish. If you have any thoughts I would love to hear.
Thank you.

Hi and welcome to the board.

If 6 courses of antibiotics haven't worked then the problem is not bacterial in origin; I wouldn't add any more of these to the tank.

Would it be possible to post a photo of the eye? That would help us make a more definite diagnosis. Is there a chance this could be fungal/parasitic in origin? There are fish parasites which can attack the eyes, such as Eye Flukes. Nutritional problems can also cause cloudy eyes: what do you feed your fish?

There is actually no reason why your fish shouldn't continue to live a full and happy life with just one eye, if the worst happens and it does fall out - plenty of GF do! I wouldn't euthanise him just yet (but if you choose to do so, DO NOT mix vodka with the clove oil - there is some evidence that this hurts the fish; just plain clove oil shaken hard in a small quantity of water works fine).

Oh, thank you Emma!
I am beside myself right now, but to read that he can live without an eye is good news. All of his movements are indeed normal. I feed him OSI GF flakes once a day. Should I give him something different?
I don't have a way to post a pic. Currently I don't have a computer. I'm using one here at work to post this and if I get caught I'll be in trouble, but worth the risk to me.
The fish guy came by to see my goldie when it started and told me it wasn't flukes. I looked up some pics of fish with flukes and it doesn't look the same.
If it's fungal what can I do?
I just read some info on the vodka/clove oil mix and thanks for the warning and info. I won't do that. If I have to I will just do the tank water/clove oil mix.
For now I will not do anything unless his actions change and he behaves weird.
Gill and I have been together for so long it breaks my heart that he maybe hurting.
Thank you so much for your helpful reply!

I have a fish that had the same systems. However, the antibiodics did help, but he winded up losing the eye anyway. It was hemorraging as well. I just assumed he bumped into something because his eye was so cloudy that he couldn't see. He is a telescope fish that has those huge googly eyes. The eye bled for about 2 days. After it all healed over, the eye never looked the same. The black pupil is really tiny in comparison to the other, and the eyeball doesn't move. I am sure he is blind in that eye bow, but seems no worse for the wear. He is perfectly happy. The only suggestion that I would make to you, would be to feed him in the dark if there are other fish in the tank. This way he has a fair shot at feeding time since fish can use their sense of smell to find the food. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies!
Just a quick update. I finished the last course of antibiotics on Friday when I posted. Since then I did a water change and put in a new filter. The eye is actually back to being flat and intact. No blood or puffiness so I am quite thrilled to say the least. I had never seen the eye look so bad as it did last Thursday and I thought for sure it would never recover. Anyway, everything seems fine for now and I am happy to learn that my goldie can survive just fine with one eye if it ever comes down to that.
Thanks again!

Many members on here have goldies with one eye and possibly some with no eyes (not sure who?)

I recently brought home a small lionhead with only one eye from the pet store I work at. He has been doing wonderfully at the pet store with the fantails that were in the tank with him. He also loves his new home and has fun gobbling up all of the food that comes his way.

Your comet will still be able to enjoy the same happiness he always has, just with one less eye! Take care and keep us updated.