Ammonia Inflamed Gills. How Long To Recover?

[justbinB]

My new endlers have been in quarantine for a week and a half now. When they showed up, I noticed that several of their gills were very inflamed, but I attributed that to 12 being shipped in about 4 cups of water (private seller). When it didn't go away in a few days, I treated for gill flukes for a week, and there was no improvement. Am I over reacting? I'm wondering if they might just be recovering from the crowded shipping conditions. The gills are still too red, and the operculum is unable to close all the way on the individuals with this problem (4 of 12, all females).

Water parameters are perfect, ammonia/nitrite 0, nitrate <10, pH 8.2 weekly small water changes (15%)

 

[gazeddy]

if its ammonia poisoning itll never really go away even if they look over it

 

[WILDER]

Red inflamed gills can be bad water quality, gill flukes, bacterial gillrot.

Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Any excess mucas on the gills.
Any white edging to gills.
Any signs of laboured breathing, or gasping.


If no signs of flicking and rubbing, I would maybe add a bacterial med.

Do the gills look like there bleeding.

 

[justbinB]

I've seen 1 fish rub twice in the hour or so I watched them yesterday, she just went down and rubbed on the gravel for half a second. I haven't seen it since (I just watched them for about 15 minutes before replying). They aren't gasping, but every now and then (only once every 5-10 minutes) the effected fish "yawn" and flare their gills. The gills are bright red, and a little inflamed (no bleeding or mucus), but the fish otherwise act normally and eat and swim around actively.

 

[WILDER]

The could be rubbing them as there sore.
Keep an eye on flicking and rubbing.

I would add a bacterial med.

 

[justbinB]

Ok, they appear to slowly be getting better (less red/painful looking), especially since I added salt a few days ago (I don't keep salt in my tanks often, but it has saved my butt a few times over the last few years).

I'll add a mild bacterial med, maybe melafix or something natural since they aren't getting notably worse


Thank you

 

[WILDER]

Salt is good but was abit cautious of telling you do add it. As salt can sting when you are sore.
If the salts helping I wouldn't bother adding melafix.
If you do add melafix just add half dose, as not all fish tolerate it towell.