Eye spot on cichlid

Question
QUESTION: I have recently aqcuired an Oscar fish. He's a beautiful orange, about 7 inches long, about 1 1/2 years old.  I've noticed that he has a small white spot on his eyeball. I did not notice it before a few days ago. He seems to be healthy and happy otherwise,eating well, does not seem distressed. I'm new to fish keeping,don't know too much about it. Is this something I should be concerned about?

ANSWER: Hi Bonnie,
 Are there other fish in the tank?  Most often, white spots or cloudiness of an eye is the result of an attack by another fish.  Are there other fish in the tank that might be bothering himn?

  Next most common is that it is a sign of poor water quality -- this is most likely if both eyes should the same symptom.  Are you doing regular partial water changes?  You should be changing 25% of the water once a week, every week, to keep him happy and healthy.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He is the only fish in the tank.  The spot is on one eye only.  The spot is a little smaller than the head of a straight pin.  I try to change ourt 1/3 of the water each week .Could he have damaged his eye on the artificial grass in the tank?

Answer
Hi Bonnie,
  I suppose that is possible -- it is sharp?  

  I would be much more suspicious about sharp points on pieces of wood or rock. Are there any of those in the tank?

  The good news is that fish eyes heal relatively quickly so if it was a small one-time thing, he should heal up in a week or so.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>