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I have a red wag platy that is about 3 mnths old and she's only about 1/2 inch long. And she's only got one eye. I know that this is a genetic defect but what I would like to know is should I put her to rest? or just let her live? She seems to be ok, but i've been reading that their insides grow while their outsides don't so ??? Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Robin

i think u should just let it grow up and see if it lives a normal life or not, afterall its only missing an eye. may be harder for it to get food and look out for things but i think you should see how it works.

I've had a one eyed danio named Sammy (after Sammy Davis Jr.) for a little less than a year with no problems. I even spotted him spawning a few months ago with the rest of the pack. I was a little unprepared so no fry, but the whole tank got a good breakfast that day
BTW, for those too young, or just didn't know, Sammy Davis Jr. was a singer with only one eye

Frankly, I don't have the heart to end a life.... But, if you are certain that the missing eye is a genetic defect - then there are really only a few options.... Let her live and thrive where she's at now -- although realizing that her fry may carry the same genetic defect.... Place her in a tank setting that only has females --- to insure no breeding, which in turn will stop the genetic defect in future generations.... Or, put her to rest..... I feel for you in making this decision.... I'm not sure what I would do in this case due to my limited space.....

To thine own self be true...

I think you should let her live, you wouldn't kill a human or puppy with only one eye? So why kill a fish. I think the idea of putting her with all females may be a good idea. Just make sure her impaired vision still allows her to get the correct amount of food so she stays plump. Good luck with your rare find.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I didn't really "want" to put her to rest but wasn't sure if she'd be ok (i'm not so much worried about hte one eye but about her not growing, she won't mmmm, explode or anything will she?) I've read about the outside not growing but that "the insides still grow and that could leave a mess", i don't want her to go through that, ewwwww...I only have 2 platies right now (her and my twin bar/mickey mouse) and they are both female. I have them in my 29 gal tank w/my tetras so I reckon she'll be ok. I absolutely adore her i just wish she'd grow. My new platy babies will be catching up w/her soon. She hasn't grow a bit in like over a month. Well, thanks for your input.
Robin

where do u find this thing that missing an eye would make her blow up? i think she's not growing because she's probably the runt which would explain the missing eye.

ugh, it was somewhere on this website....I couldn't even begin to tell ya where but i know it was on this site...It just said exactly what i typed in...Anyway, she's actually grown some in the past week but she's still about the same size as my platy fry, :-)

Later all!
Robin

The insides growing and the outsides not is when they're in a tank too small for them and they begin to stunt...I think you just have a runt.

Another explanation is simply that her eye was eaten. It is actually very common with some fish mixes. What else is in your tank? Plecos, etc have been known to grab an eye off of a sleeping fish laying in the gravel. Slurp...

The above post is correct about stunting.

Koi

Empty chairs at empty tables, the room silent, forlorn.