Neon Tetra Gill Ripped Off?

[60007]

Hello all, I have had my tank set up for about 6 weeks now and I have gradually been increasing my stock, but I have found this morning that one of my neon tetras appears to have had its gill 'protector thing' ripped open, exposing the gill stacks inside which are red. I also noticed a white barb like thing under its mouth, fearing it was a worm I quickly caught the neon and its now floating in a small tank in my main tank.

All my ammonia and nitrite readings are 0ppm

its 68ltr

so far I have:
3 Zebra Danios
5 neon Tetras
2 Lime Tetras
1 Betta
1 Octos
8 Cherry Shrimp

Thanks

~Andrew

PS: On closer inspection, the white barb doesn't appear to be a worm

 

[60007]

what should I do?

please help

 

[aly_starh]

Hello all, I have had my tank set up for about 6 weeks now and I have gradually been increasing my stock, but I have found this morning that one of my neon tetras appears to have had its gill 'protector thing' ripped open, exposing the gill stacks inside which are red. I also noticed a white barb like thing under its mouth, fearing it was a worm I quickly caught the neon and its now floating in a small tank in my main tank.

All my ammonia and nitrite readings are 0ppm

its 68ltr

so far I have:
3 Zebra Danios
5 neon Tetras need 1 more
2 Lime Tetras - need 4 more (pushing the stocking limits)
1 Betta
1 Octos
8 Cherry Shrimp

Thanks

~Andrew

PS: On closer inspection, the white barb doesn't appear to be a worm

I'd say do a 50% water change then retest water.

 

[60007]

Hiya, I've already changed the water, and the water was ammonia and nitrite readings were already 0ppm. so I don't see how that could help the situation, and the gill is still red and wide open.

on a side note: the lime tetras are happily shoaling with the neon tetras

I'd really like to know how I can sort this problem please

~60007

 

[aly_starh]

Try adding melafix into the water or myaxzin. Follow the instructions on the packet and make sure there is no carbon in the filter when doing so. It may be beneficial to QT the fish.