Cloudy Eye: A White Film & Milky Sheen Covering Discus Eyes

Cloudy Eye is a very common problem/condition not only among discus, but in most other tropical aquarium fish (some rare fish species have a normal cloudy sheen to their eyes). In most cases the cloudy eye(s) is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom which may or may not accompany discus diseases, medical conditions, or both together. Fatalities caused by cloudy eye are very rare and only occur at very late stages of the condition progression and mainly through secondary infections which are usually bacterial (but can be fungal as well).

The Cloudy Eye Condition/Disease in Discus Fish

Regardless of why discus has cloudy eye, it usually is not contagious to other fish. So if you have discus fish with white film on its eye(s), just don’t get scared and try to figure out the possible causes of the cloudy eye in your discus fish instead. Early diagnosis of the cause of cloudy eye in discus, can increase chances of survival and successful treatment. Cloudy eye can occur as a result of many conditions whether serious or not. Here are some of the reasons for Cloudy Eye in discus fish.

Possible Causes for Cloudy Eye(s)

• The most common cause of the cloudy eyes condition in discus fish seems to be poor water quality. High levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate could cause the discus eye(s) to become cloudy. Too low pH or pH sock can also be another cause of the condition, especially for those newbie aquarium hobbyists who are trying to lower the pH level by adding the acid directly into water. Overall, cloudy water and any other thing that can have a negative impact on water quality may be a reason for this problem in discus. So you need to keep the fish tank water clean and clear. Nitrogen cycle and water change are the keys to have a crystal water in the tank.
• Anything that causes disorder of the immune system or immune deficiency in discus could also causes the cloudiness in fish eyes. Severe stress, diseases and conditions, bullying from other tank mates, malnutrition, weakness, impotence, chlorine, and chloramine are just some of the examples.
• Normal medication side effects, poisoning and toxicity, overdosing medicines and etc.

Treatment and Cure

Since most of the time it is nothing but a symptom and sign, there is no particular treatment for it. The best cure is to find the possible cause(s) first. In most cases changing water and adding salt is helpful especially in early stages of the condition.