Extended Gill(s)

[Cabrill]

This is my first time posting, but I'm hoping that you'll still be willing to help me. I have a Black Skirted Tetra(3") that has developed one swollen gill. It almost looks like it's cheek is trying to pop off. You can see directly into it as it's so puffy, and sticking out so far from his face. It's very red(the color of blood), and the grey scales seem to be pealing, in almost a wavy line, where they would have otherwise closed smoothly to the rest of his cheek. His mouth is constantly working, like he's gasping for breath but he seems to have no trouble breathing, it's just constant mouthwork. It's steadily gotten worse for about 4 days. So far I've treated for ich(heard about swollen gills being a symptom, and originally that's all it was), and also for fungus(there was a recent outbreak of that about a week ago, and I thought it might be coming back), and currently I've just been adding antibacterial/healing tonics in hope that it'll help it heal. He's my largest Black Tetra, and also the first one I bought, so I'm hoping its not terminal. Can anyone shed any light here?

 

[William]

First off welcome to the forum, now to the more serious stuff.

It's odd that only one side is swollen. It may not be bacteria at all, but rather a parasite that has invaded the one side of the gill. If this is the case, it will multiply and spread.

Jungle makes a good parasite med called "Internal Parasite Guard" or something like that. It has metronidazole and acriflavin, which are good meds for the cure of parasites...both internal and external. You probably should try it.


Sometimes it's just something minor like Ammonia/Nitrite. Poor water conditions are a major irritant to the Gills. What are the test results for ammonia and nitrIte in your tank?

Usually the main reason of Gill Disease is "Parasites". Look for the tetra rubbing the Gills and get one of the many anti parasite products on the market, like Formalin or Fluke Tabs or the jungle med I mentioned earlier.

 

[Cabrill]

Thank you for the help. I did purchase some Paracite medicine, and it's taken several weeks, but the infection/parasite looks all but gone now. I can still tell he is/was sick because the gill looks sorta papery(like a snakes skin after shedding) but it's no longer swollen, and he doesn't gasp constantly. Also, I bought a water testing kit to be certain it wasn't water conditions. I'm running at 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrate, and 7.6ph. The only thing worrisome is the ph, right? Is 7.6 too high? It comes out of the tap at 7.5, so I'm not sure what to do if so.