Gill Issue?

[Holly12]

Hi!

Could someone tell me what (or even if,) something is wrong with my guy?
I tested his water last week and it was 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrites and 15 - 20ppm nitrates. He's in a planted tank and I do 50% water changes weekly. He has a filter for a 50gallon tank and he's in a 20 gallons long. His temps stay between 16 degrees and 19. (Hot summer.)

I noticed the very tip of one gill lost the hairs and is white....it's not a fungus though.... does that regenerate?

It's the gill closest to his top, on HIS left, so look to your right in the pic.

 

[Holly12]

He does hide a lot more in the day than when I first got him, but I read they are nocturnal so...

He eats too. He wasn't going to his bowl for about 3 days and would therefore only eat what I tong fed him, but today he started going g to his bowl again. He gets a lot of BSFL, and also frozen blood worms, mysis shrimp, and pellets.

He poops fine - once or twice a day...

I did notice a stone from one cave fell over....maybe it pinched a gill and it's healing?

Basically, should I worry and/or what do I do to help him?

 

[aliya23kk]

Is there any other fish in the tank that could of nipped its' gill?

 

[Holly12]

Is there any other fish in the tank that could of nipped its' gill?

Nope, he's totally on his own. He's actually regenerated all his toes on his left side as well as regained the use of his back left leg since we got him. His gills have gotten bigger and fuzzier too!!

Is it looking like damage to you? Will that heal on its own? It wasn't like that a week ago.

 

[aliya23kk]

It could of even got caught by a rock or something. I'd do a water change then add some Melafix and a little bit of Aquarium salt to prevent infection.

 

[Holly12]

It could of even got caught by a rock or something. I'd do a water change then add some Melafix and a little bit of Aquarium salt to prevent infection.

I just did a 50% change on Saturday, so now I just add melafix and aquarium salt? How long would I keep the treatment up for? Does it look like so e this that would be easily healed since he has really good water conditions? I'm hesitant to add chemicals to the water.

 

[aliya23kk]

I'd do it every 4 to 5 days for a few weeks.
By comparing it to the other gills it looks like it will heal back quick in 2 weeks at the most but probably quicker than that.
Melafix is good for the tank it will prevent fungus and disease and will help with any cuts ect.
At Petsmart it's $5 for a 8 Fl Oz and $15 for a 16 Fl Oz.

 

[Holly12]

I'd do it every 4 to 5 days for a few weeks.
By comparing it to the other gills it looks like it will heal back quick in 2 weeks at the most but probably quicker than that.
Melafix is good for the tank it will prevent fungus and disease and will help with any cuts ect.
At Petsmart it's $5 for a 8 Fl Oz and $15 for a 16 Fl Oz.

Should I do a half dose? And aquarium salt is there too?

 

[aliya23kk]

I'd do 1 teaspoon of Melafix per 10 gallons and half a teaspoon of aquarium salt per 10 gallons.

 

[Holly12]

I'd do 1 teaspoon of Melafix per 10 gallons and half a teaspoon of aquarium salt per 10 gallons.

Once per week after the water change? For a couple weeks yes?

 

[aliya23kk]

Once per water change for the Melafix and every other water change for the aquarium salt.