fish eye

Question
I've noticed a white cloudy film on one eye of my small gold fish,could this be a cataract? The fish eats ok,but stays on the bottom alot.I have another gold fish with it and acts fine. Have any ideas or treatment ideas. Thank you,by the way does temperature of the water affect these fish,because during the summer my apt gets hot and there water turns warm,any ideas about this? How cool should the water be? Do gold fish eat live water plants? Thank You...

Answer
Hi Gary,
  Most often a white cloudy film on a fish's eye is the result of the fish banging into something (e.g., a piece of wood) or the result of a bite by another fish.  Fish typically bite other fish in the eye.  The good news is that fish eyes are rather tough structures and if given a chance to heal, they often heal perfectly within a week or so.  

 Goldfish do not do well in warm water. It is better to keep them in the low 70's or cooler.  

 Most aquarium fish will eat some plant material. It depends on what else they have to eat and how hungry they are.  

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