What's on my betta's gill?

[Quin]

There's something on my betta's gill and I'm not really sure what it is. If he was a human I would say it's a flake of dead skin or a sunburn peeling, but he isn't so I'm not sure. Pictures have circles of what I'm talking about, plus one of him from the side because it's not really visible there and
I'm not sure if he's bloated/chunky again

Ich isn't usually flaky is it?

 

[JuiceBox52]

Look up pictures of gill flukes and see if it looks like that.

 

[Quin]

Look up pictures of gill flukes and see if it looks like that.

In all of the pictures I saw none of them really matched what I see on Hank, his is short and rounder rather than long and stringy. I googled the signs and symptoms and the only ones that really match are that he has scarring on that side of his gill where I see the flap. He has no mucus and has not been rubbing.

I'm going to keep an eye on it regardless, but could it be something harmful? Should I treat the tank with salt just in case, or is that only for breathing issues?

 

[lazarusthefishboy10]

I have never seen this before! Interesting... I hope he gets better!

 

[Quin]

I have never seen this before! Interesting... I hope he gets better!

I'm hoping it's just a flake that's gotten stuck, or maybe even dead skin but that runs some concerns too

 

[Sylvan]

Probably just a scale that's been scraped loose. Can't really see from the photos.

 

[Quin]

Probably just a scale that's been scraped loose. Can't really see from the photos.

I think that may be the case. This morning the flap is much smaller and the spot looks a little raw in the light (like it came off somehow). Is there anything I can do to prevent infection?

 

[Essjay]

Clean water - lots of water changes.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I agree. Preform frequent water changes. Hope he gets better!

 

[Quin]

Clean water - lots of water changes.

If I use seachem prime do I still need to let the water sit for 24 hours before a change? If not I'll be on it asap

 

[PheonixKingZ]

No, because of the fact that Seachem prime removes chlorine, you don’t need to let it set. Just make sure to mix the water up really good.