Is It Normal For An Angelfish To Have Red Eyes?

Red eyes are not a common occurrence in Angelfish, but they do happen. In most cases, it is nothing to worry about, and the fish will be perfectly healthy. However, there are a few things you should know if your Angelfish develops red eyes. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of red eyes in angelfish and what you should do if your fish develops them.

Your Angelfish has red eyes for one of two reasons: natural causes or infection. Certain genetic composition is responsible for angelfish developing red eyes. This is a natural cause and nothing to worry about. Check the list of angelfish that develop natural red eyes below. Further, red eyes can be a sign of an infection in angelfish that do not have the genetic makeup of getting red color in the eye. However, in most cases, red eyes are simply caused by the pigmentation in the iris. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

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Is It Normal For An Angelfish To Have Red Eyes

Yes, it is normal for certain types of Angelfish to have red eyes. Below is the list of Angelfish that can have red eyes:

Wild type (Silver)
Domestic (Silver)
Black Angelfish (or Double Dark D/D genes)
Marble Angelfish (Dark, Gold, Marble, Gold Marble Genes M/M, M/g, M/Gm)
Cobra Angelfish (Dark and Zebra Genes D/+ – Z/+ or Z/Z)
Streaked Double Dark Angelfish (D/D – St/+ genes)
Veiled Hybrid Black Angelfish (D/g, D/M, D/Gm genes)
Veiled Marble Angelfish (M/GM – V/+ genes)

Angelfish are a type of freshwater fish that are popular among aquarium enthusiasts. They are known for their striking appearance, which includes long fins and bright colors. One feature that may stand out to you is their eyes, which are often red. While this may seem strange, it is actually quite normal for an angelfish to have red eyes. Some Angelfish are specifically created to have red eyes.

Other types of Angelfish generally do not develop red eye color. These include:

Gold Angelfish (g/g genetic composition)
Hybrid Black Angelfish (D/g, D/M, D/Gm genes)
Black Lace Angelfish (D/+ genes)
Silver Marble Angelfish (M/+ genes)
Silver Gold Marble Angelfish(Gm/+ genes)
Zebra Locus Angelfish (S+Z)
Ghost Angelfish (S/+ genes)
Blushing Angelfish (S/S genes)
Zebra Angelfish (Z/+, Z/Z genes)
Clown Angelfish (S/Z genes)
Smokey Locus Angelfish(Sm/+ genes)
Chocolate Angelfish (Sm/Sm genes)
Veiled Locus Angelfish (V/+ genes)
Streaked Lock Angelfish (St/+, St/St genes)
Halfblack Locus Angelfish (h/h genes)
Pearscale Locus Angelfish (p/p genes)
Albino Locus Angelfish (a/a genes)

So an Angelfish having red-eye or not will largely depend on how it was bred and its genetic composition. There are those that are bred to have red eyes, while others will not develop the coloration no matter what. Red eyes can be a sign of an infection in the second list of angelfish species listed above.

Why Are My Fish’s Eyes Turning Red?

One of the most common causes of red eyes in Angelfish is stress. When fish are stressed, they release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol increases blood flow to the eyes, which can cause the vessels in the eyes to dilate and become red.

Stress can be caused by a number of things, including poor water quality, overcrowding, and aggression from other fish. If your Angelfish is displaying signs of stress, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible. Red eyes are often a sign that the fish is already under a great deal of stress, and if the situation is not corrected, the fish may become sick or even die.

If you notice that your angelfish has red eyes, the first thing you should do is check the water quality. If the water quality is poor, it is likely that the fish is stressed due to environmental conditions. Make sure to test the water and correct any issues with pH, ammonia, or nitrite levels.

You should also make sure that the tank is not overcrowded and that there are plenty of hiding places for the fish. If the water quality is good and the tank is not overcrowded, the next thing you should look at is aggression from other fish.

Angelfish are typically peaceful fish, but they can become aggressive if they feel threatened. If you have multiple angelfish in the same tank, make sure that they are all the same size. If one fish is much larger than the others, it may be bullying the smaller fish and causing them stress.

In most cases, red eyes in angelfish are nothing to worry about and will resolve on their own. However, if the condition persists or worsens, it is important to seek veterinary care. Red eyes can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as an infection. If you are concerned about your Angelfish, the best thing to do is take them to a qualified aquarium veterinarian for an examination.

Can Angelfish Change Eye Color To Red?

Yes, it is possible for angelfish to change eye color. Angelfish capable of having red eyes naturally are Wild type (silver), Domestic (silver), Black Angelfish, Marble Angelfish, Cobra Angelfish, Streaked Double Dark Angelfish, Veiled hybrid Angelfish, and Veiled Marble Angelfish. These Angelfish change their eye color to red naturally due to their genetic composition.

Further, there are many Angelfish that do not change eye color or rather don’t get red-eye. These include Gold Angelfish, Hybrid Black Angelfish, Black Lace Angelfish, Silver Marble Angelfish, Silver Gold Marble Angelfish, Zebra Locus Angelfish, Ghost Angelfish, Blushing Angelfish, Zebra Angelfish, Clown Angelfish, Smokey Locus Angelfish, Chocolate Angelfish, Veiled Locus Angelfish, Streaked Lock Angelfish, Halfblack Locus Angelfish, Pearscale Locus Angelfish, and Albino Locus Angelfish.

If these Angelfish develop red eyes, then it is a cause for concern. The most common reason for this is either stress or infection.

Are My Angelfish’s Eyes Turning Red Naturally Or Does It Have An Infection?

We have listed Angelfish species that have naturally occurring red eye color. This is not due to an infection. If your Angelfish is not on the list of species that can have naturally red eyes, then developing red eyes is cause for concern as this may be a sign of infection. The most common reason for red eyes in Angelfish is stress. This can be caused by a number of things, including poor water quality, overcrowding, and aggression from other fish. If your Angelfish is displaying signs of stress, it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.

Angelfish Eye Diseases That Cause Red Eye

There are a few different diseases that can cause red eyes in angelfish. The most common of these is Corneybacteriosis, which is a bacterial infection that affects the cornea. This disease is typically treated with antibiotics. Another disease that can cause red eyes is Cryptocaryon, which is a parasitic infection. This disease is more difficult to treat and often requires multiple rounds of medication.

Another disease that can cause red eyes is called Septicemia, which is an infection of the blood. This disease can be caused by a number of things, including poor water quality, injury, and stress. Septicemia is a very serious disease and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

If you are concerned that your angelfish may have an eye disease, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for the success of treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, some Angelfish naturally develop red eyes, while in others, it may be a sign of infection. To determine whether the red eye is due to an infection, look for the overall health of your fish and determine whether it is healthy. If it is an infection, you should be able to spot other indications on the body (spots, rots, etc.) and behavior of the fish (Loss of appetite to be a common one).

Further, always double-check the water quality, especially Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, PH, and Salinity. An imbalance in the water quality can result in the development of parasitic organisms that can make your Angelfish sick and develop red eyes.

If you are still concerned about your Angelfish, the best thing to do is take them to a qualified aquarium veterinarian for an examination. They will be able to determine if the red eye is due to an infection or not and recommend the best course of treatment. Thanks for reading!