One of a kind BLIND ASIAN REDTAIL CATFISH?!?

[Ricardo quezada]

I bought a Asian redtail catfish (black body with redtail) from my LFS and didn’t notice it untit two month later that it has no eyes. I don’t know if it’s a miss identification by the store. I call them and asked if this is normal and they said no that all of their red tails have eyes and this is a first for them.the blind redtail I have had no signs of its eyes being removed by another fish (was housed with a pacu and spotted Raphael cat) it’s as if it never had eyes. It’s head is completely flat.

 

[tlindsey]

I bought a Asian redtail catfish (black body with redtail) from my LFS and didn’t notice it untit two month later that it has no eyes. I don’t know if it’s a miss identification by the store. I call them and asked if this is normal and they said no that all of their red tails have eyes and this is a first for them.the blind redtail I have had no signs of its eyes being removed by another fish (was housed with a pacu and spotted Raphael cat) it’s as if it never had eyes. It’s head is completely flat.

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I personally would have been more upset if the fish had one eye missing but it's unique so I would still keep it. Btw I do have fish with a deformed eye and I still care for them.

 

[Ricardo quezada]

I personally would have been more upset if the fish had one eye missing but it's unique so I would still keep it. Btw I do have fish with a deformed eye and I still care for them.

I’m still keeping him, I cares for it too long to just give up on him. He survived this long without me noticing he’s a surviver. Just curious if anyone has seen this on this species of catfish

 

[twentyleagues]

I'm guessing its a birth defect that slipped through the cracks. Probably would have been culled had the farm noticed. I have seen a kitten born with no eyes survive... no thrive with proper care for over 20 years. I've no doubt in my mind a catfish especially in a tank with nothing to prey on it will be fine with normal care. They do most of their buisness in the dark normally anyway.

 

[johnny potatoes]

I had two different eyeless TSN's at different times. Both did very well in fact one of them learned the sound of the lids opening and food hitting the water. He was able to beat 2 gator gars and a pacu to the food. If it was up to me all my catfish would have no eyes. They don't hide that way because they always think it's night time. They're way more active and you get to see them a lot more.

 

[The Morning]

Different species but I have an eyeless pleco in my current tank. Unfortunately it was not born that way. The African cichlids in the tank took the eyes out at some point about year and a half ago. The holes have since grown over and it is barely noticeable now. He does fine otherwise.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I think they are farm raised and we get culls in our trade. It is the first time I see an ARTC born without eyes at all but I am not blown away.

As guys say above, catfish get on fine without eyes. At least in captivity we know it.

If it was up to me all my catfish would have no eyes. They don't hide that way because they always think it's night time. They're way more active and you get to see them a lot more.

They have a third eye, which carries crude light sensing function among many others. I'd think they still know day from night.

Different species but I have an eyeless pleco in my current tank. Unfortunately it was not born that way. The African cichlids in the tank took the eyes out at some point about year and a half ago. The holes have since grown over and it is barely noticeable now. He does fine otherwise.

Same here.

 

[coachg]

I have a small redtail hybred that is basically eyeless. very small slits. He eats like a pig and is growing. Very odd, but we still love him. Also a beautiful one eyed lungfish. Markings are great! Big pig!

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Pics?

 

[krichardson]

Yeah I know,old thread but I was just curious as to how the guy selected and bought a fish at a shop and didn't immediately realize it was blind, let alone a few months later?