Bullied pet fish gets custom prosthetic eye

A 7-year-old pet fish in Chesterfield, Missouri, is experiencing better quality of life after receiving his hand-painted prosthetic eye.

Kiwi, a tropical saltwater fish, developed a blinding cataract in one eye, which was removed by veterinarian Dr. Megan Baebler. Though the procedure went well, a problem with Kiwi’s tank mates remained. The other fish noticed his missing eye, and took advantage by sneaking up on his blind side to bite his tail.

Kiwi’s devoted owner Julie Morgan made history when she asked Dr. Baebler to make him a custom prosthetic eye - only the second time this procedure has been performed in a fish, and the first one done in an individually-owned pet.

"It's going to be the best chance for him to lead a normal life in his tank," Baebler said.

Dr. Baebler ordered the 9mm acrylic eye online, and hand painted it to match Kiwi’s other eye, using nail polish and eye shadow. The implantation took 30 minutes under general anesthesia (mixed into water that was run through the gills), and Kiwi is now recuperating in a private tank.

Morgan hopes the new eye will prevent further bullying from the other fish when Kiwi is reintroduced to the community tank.