Piranha lost an eye

[ippielb]

My largest piranha, around 12", lost one of its eyes, it's now just a red hole. I don't want to lose it. But it hasn't eaten for the past four days. I am going to try my best to help the recovering process, but if the worst happens, it gets infected or the fish doesn't eat. I don't want it to suffer, how can i swiftly put it out? Freezing cold water temperature shock?

Thanks

[Lady Hobbs]

He will do fine with one eye just as people do. Clean water will prevent it from getting infected. But how did he lose it?

[ippielb]

To be honest, i do not know, there is still some of the outer protective layer of the eye attached somehow. It happened when i wasn't around. Came home from work and it wasn't there, i'm extremely disappointed, it was very healthy, and just starting to become a little familiar with me. Will putting Melafix help the healing?

[rich311k]

Yes lots of water changes and a little melafix will not hurt. Good luck with him.

[~Col~]

Ouch!

+1 on what Rich said.

[sebastien]

+1 With Col.

[Aeonflame]

Yesterday I saw a discus with no eyes. Been that way for years after losing them. I'd bet, once healed up, your toothy friend would do just fine with only one.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Your fish should do just fine, like the others said, with just one eye. They should not need to eat every day though. Like most predators, they will eat to satiation when they do eat, but they may only eat once every 3-4 days. 4 days without food is actually more natural for them.