Neon Tetra With A Damaged Gill. Treatment?

[kokobear666]

So I have a 10 gallon aquarium. 3 Neon Tetras and 5 platys. There used to be a betta in there as well as a silver molly and another platy; however he was a big bully to my fish, so he has been in his own tank since. He killed the silver molly and one bleeding heart platy.

I have one neon tetra whom I think is a survivor of one of his attacks. I believe my betta bit into it's gill and damaged it badly. It didn't affect the fish, however. The tetra continues to swim around, eat and be healthy but I am just wondering if there is a way to help the gill heal.

This also happened maybe a month and a half ago.

 

[KittyKat]

Can you post a photo of the damage, or describe it in detail?

[Neons should be kept in a group of 6+, or even better, 10+ because they are schooling fish.]

 

[kokobear666]

I'll try and describe it the best I can. The gills open and close when they're breathing, but on this tetra, I don't think it exists anymore. It's simply a big red area where the gill used to be. The other gill on the other side is just fine, I believe it is the right gill which is hurt. I know red gills generally means an ammonia problem, but I know I don't have that and none of my other tetras have this issue which is why I think it was attacked. I will try my best to get a picture of it.

I will look into getting other tetras, thanks for the info.

 

[KittyKat]

I'll try and describe it the best I can. The gills open and close when they're breathing, but on this tetra, I don't think it exists anymore. It's simply a big red area where the gill used to be. The other gill on the other side is just fine, I believe it is the right gill which is hurt. I know red gills generally means an ammonia problem, but I know I don't have that and none of my other tetras have this issue which is why I think it was attacked. I will try my best to get a picture of it.

So you're saying that the operculum and possibly the gills are missing? There's nothing you can do except make sure you never have any water quality problems, which you should be doing anyway, and that the water has plenty of oxygen (which makes its way into the water with good surface movement).

I will look into getting other tetras, thanks for the info.

If you do get more, make sure that you stock slowly, of course