Puffy gills?

[Jesusfreak]

I hope I am hallucinating but I see the gills on my praecox rainbow are a little more exposed than his other rainbow buddies. His breathing may seem a little more laborious. I've noticed it for about one week. He is still fairly active. I watch him at feeding time and he doesn't seem as competative as I would like. Possible diagnosis anyone?

[Jesusfreak]

Could be gill flukes. Gonna top off with water and aquarium salt. Haven't added salt for a while.

[Justikanz]

Look from the top, is the fish looking like a pine fruit, with the scales protruding outwards? If so, it is suffering from Dropsy... And I am afraid you have to quarantine it and let it pass away peacefully...

Then check for anything attaching to the gills... There could be gill parasites...

Are the gills reddish? If so, they could be burnt by chemicals, especially ammonia...

[benny]

Inflammed gill is usually a sign for parasites. Salt alone is not enough as a treatment for the fish if you want to save it.

There are several good medication for this but treat it in a hospital tank instead as all the snails and shrimps will also be wiped out if you medicate the whole tank.

Do take note that if one fish is infected, there is a good chance that the rest are also infected.

Cheers,

[Jesusfreak]

I freaked out and flushed him. No other fish have acted close to similiar and I believe I have peace of mind. I have no hospital tank. Benny, I truly hope that the other fish are not affected. Should I medicate the whole tank for parasites? You've got me a little worried. I will keep a close watch for behaviorial changes. Thanks for your support.

[benny]

If it was really gill flukes, then yes, there is a possibility that they are all infected. And it can potentially spread. Unlike dropsy, gill flukes is infectious as it's a parasite.

Cheers,