Gill Deformity Or Infection

[tttnjfttt]

One of my new zebra danios has an open sore, for lack of better term. I can't tell if it is a deformity or if it is an infection. The "sore" is right by his gill, but I can't tell if it is because there is an infection or the gill flap isn't there. It looks like the flap is alot shorter, but try getting a zebra danio to hold still to check. The sore is bright red in color.

I just got him last night so i haven't had him long enough to really tell if there is a difference in his behavior or eating. I did notice he seems to be a little more lethargic than the others.

Advice?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hdgilld.htm

 

[tttnjfttt]

If it is a disease, it would be an ulcer, that much I know. What i'm trying to figure out is if it is a birth defect or an ulcer. I'm a little more coherent this morning than I was last night, so I will try again. On one side, it looks like part of his gill plate is misisng, and where it should be is a red sore. THe shape of the sore is exactly where the missing gill plate should be. Because the shape is identicle, i am debating infection vs. birth defect. These are new fish so i don't know how long he has been like that.

I should also note that his color does seem darker than the others, possibly from lack of oxygen? I don't have an air stone, as my mom stole my pump for her betta tank.

I have spent the morning searching google and couldn't find anything. I will try to post a pix later.

So any advice? ulcer or birth defect?

 

[WILDER]

I think i would treat it as bacterial for the moment, as it could be the beginning of an ulcer, and if it dosn't heal i would go with bad water quality where the gill got destroyed or even parasite.
Then birth defect.
Not the writer of this information below.
Gill Rot



Symptoms:

Symptoms include breathing difficulty, gasping, lethargy, and discolored and eroding gill filaments. The fish may hover at the top of the aquarium, gasping for air. If left untreated, the fish will suffocate and die.



Cause:

Gill Rot occurs as a result of low oxygen content in the water, which is often the result of overcrowded aquariums or ponds. Such a scenario is a problem because the heavy loads of organic matter, high nitrate levels and high temperatures allow the Fungi of the genus Branchiomyces to infect and destroy the gills of your fish.



Treatment:

Perform an immediate water change in an effort to increase the water’s oxygenation. Gravel or pond bottom filters should be cleared of debris. Added aeration should be supplied. Formalin is the medication of choice for Gill Rot.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, I invest in a new air stone (stealing it back from my mom means an uncycled tank for a betta that seldomly gets water changes) or just lower the water level and add a filter?

 

[WILDER]

Use an airstone as you will need a bacterial med, good luck, look for signs of parasites as well, could be a number of things.

 

[tttnjfttt]

ok, the article you posted said formalin, and you are saying antibiotics. Um.....

 

[WILDER]

Go with that then, thinking of an ulcer at the time.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I'll give him a closer look before deciding. Re-reading the article looks like it is talking about inside, not the gill plate. Sheesh, all this over a $1 danio. Oh well, can't stand to have a sick fish and do nothing about it.

 

[WILDER]

Can you see anything behind the gill like a parasite, anything does it look inflamed.

 

[tttnjfttt]

It literally looks like half the gill is missing and a big red spot is in its place. The moving part of the gill is about half the size of what the other one is.

 

[WILDER]

Take a look here.
http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/ulcers.htm

 

[tttnjfttt]

all those ulcers have whitish edges or fuzz, this has neither. the sore is uniform in color, and about the color of the outter edges of the second pix.

 

[WILDER]

If the gill still looks like it rotting away i would go with bacterial for now.

 

[tttnjfttt]

specific recomended med? Translation: Do you think this is gram negative or gram positive?