Experiences keeping blind cichlids?

[eyespot]

About three years ago I ordered a half dozen honduran blue redpoints. Out of the group I got two males and 4 females. 4 or 5 months ago the least dominant female who was always a bit sickly developed thick cataracts and went blind. I was sure I'd have to euthanize her either because of starvation or harassment from the other other redpoints (who are always quarreling among themselves) but here it is almost a half year later and she's as healthy as ever aside from the blindness. Occasionally the smallest female gives her a little grief but otherwise the other tankmates leave her alone and she gets plenty to eat sifting through the gravel. On occasion one of the males even steps out on his partner and flirts with her and she seems to respond. It's possible she senses light and dark but I don't know. Anyway, I think it's pretty remarkable and I was wondering if anybody else had similar experience successfully keeping blind cichlids.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Wow, that's awesome that the fish is able to continue feeding and living in a community setting like that.

Not a cichlid, but I have a blind betta fish. He is a "blue marble", one of the morphs of the "dragon scale" trait, which are very susceptible to genetic issues relating to scale growth. The fish also has a huge tumor on his side, and his blue/white dragon scales have grown to cover his eyes almost completely, so he can only see a tiny window out of the bottom of one eye. I've had the fish for maybe a year and a half, and he went blind a few months after I took him. He seems to still be able to make out light through the scales, as he waits for the shade of flakes over his face to strike at food, and is able to eat in this way. But I imagine in a community setting he would get outcompeted quickly.

 

[Pharaoh]

I had a common place that was missing both eyes. He actually cruised around the tank swimming right all around the water column. Reminded me of a shark patrolling the water. Was a cool fish.