Can a fish be blind?

[Stackbundles]

For 2 weeks I have a blue hippo tang. He is doing great in the tank. The only thing is when it comes to eating. For some reason he can't eat when the food is floating in the water. He trys but misses all the time. He only eats when the food is sitting on the floor. I'm not sure if he is using his smell to pick the food off the floor. Is it that the hippo tangs are clumsy fish. He is also very peaceful. Just curious.

Stack

 

[KathyC]

If he were blind you'd probably notice him swimming into the sides of the tank or the rock work.
If there a lot of flow in the tank that he is just missing the food due to its motion?

If he is picking it off the sand bed with accuracy - I'd say he probably isn't blind.

Does he seem fine otherwise?

 

[Stackbundles]

He is picking it off the floor well. He seems like a happy fish in the tank. No stress at all. It makes sense that if he was blind he would be hitting the rock or glass. He prob just needs to learn how to cordinate eating the food while it's floating. Thanks for the quick reply. I have to say MR is great for all the advice. Very helpful forum.

 

[KathyC]

We try
Good luck with him!