In the summer of 2021, a small Rockfish -about an inch in length- was collected via a Beach Seine (a long net designed to collect fish from the shore) from the beach just outside Feiro’s front doors, Hollywood Beach. At first this little fish didn’t have enough to features to identify what species of Rockfish it was. After about a year, the markings were clear and we knew we had a Copper Rockfish in our exhibit.
The juvenile Copper Rockfish spent its first couple of years growing up in our Eelgrass exhibit, mimicking the same habitat where he was collected. As he continued to grow, he moved from one exhibit to a larger exhibit. Copper’s current home is our 385-gallon subtidal exhibit housed with China Rockfish, a Rock Prickleback and a California Sea Cucumber.
Earlier this year, staff began to notice Copper’s right eye looking puffy. An infliction often referred to as Pop-eye. The fish’s behavior also began to change and we determined that the fish was officially blind in that pop-eye. After consulting with vet Dr. Bevins, it was determined the best course of action would be an Enucleation (Eye removal surgery). The surgery was a success, and we were grateful to discover there was no tumor behind the eye, which was a high concern as the potential cause of the pop-eye. Other causes of pop-eye could be rapid movement to the surface from ocean depths (not the case for our rockfish), or a build-up of air behind the eye ball (this appears to be our culprit). Copper adjusted well to his one eye world and soon began feeding and behaving like normal again.
Our celebration was short lived, as this summer Copper’s remaining eye began to look puffy. It didn’t take long for us to see that his remaining eye was also becoming Pop-eye. Behavior showed that his vision remained, so we began to look for resolutions that would allow the eye, and the vision, to remain. We knew we were not equipped to care for a fully blind fish.
One of the most wonderful things about the aquarium industry, is the generosity everyone has towards other facilities. Aquarists can reach out to fellow aquarist with questions, new skills are shared frequently at conferences, and everyone helps where they can to ensure all animals can receive the best animal healthcare possible. Which is why Tamara felt comfortable reaching out for help. She knew that Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (PDZA) had built their own pressure chamber (based on plans shared by Monterey Bay Aquarium). After getting approval from their vet, we were given the okay to use their chamber – we just had to wait our turn as other fish were currently being treated with the chamber.
At the end of July, Tamara received the news that our turn for the chamber arrived. With the proper transfer permits approved (Thank you WDFW for their quick response), Copper Rockfish was packed up in a 20-gallon insulated cooler and made the 104-mile journey to Tacoma.
Upon arrival, Tamara and Copper Rockfish were greeted by Aquarist Mikiko. With a wheeled cart, Copper’s cooler was pushed behind the scenes of PDZA’s Pacific Seas building until they reached the pressure chamber. Aquarist Mikiko got to work turning knobs, adjusting airlines and grabbing tools so that the pressure chamber could be opened safely. Copper was netted and gently placed in the chamber tube. Then Mikiko got to work again adjusting things and carefully closing up the pressure chamber. She also took the time to explain how the pressure chamber worked to Tamara. Once secured, the psi (pressure) was slowly increased.
This process takes patience, and requires the Copper Rockfish to remain inside it for at least a week. Tamara knew she was leaving Copper in good care, as she witnessed Aquarist Mikiko’s attention to details, and the care she was giving to Copper. She even asked if Copper had a favorite food for his visit (the answer is shrimp).
Eye improvement began almost immediately. Within 2 days, the eye almost looked back to normal. Aquarist Mikiko shared photos with Tamara almost every day and let us know how well Copper was doing. He apparently acquired a new favorite food – some chopped up Capelin, which he devoured faster than the shrimp that was offered. After careful monitoring for a week, it was time to start to slowly release the pressure. This takes multiple days in order to ease the rockfish back to surface pressure. Two weeks after being dropped off in Tacoma, it was time for Copper Rockfish to make that 104-mile journey back home.
Copper has returned to the subtidal exhibit. It didn’t take long before he started eating – a good sign that the long journey wasn’t too stressful. The staff continues to monitor Copper Rockfish’s eye as sometimes the pop-eye can return. But if it does, Tamara feels good knowing she can rely on the aquarium community to give her advice and assistance when needed.
