Red gills on cherry barbs.

[Carlos & Siran]

We've lost 3 cherry barbs in the last few weeks, Siran noticed that they all have red gills, so she's done several water perimeter checks over that time and everything seems normal. Our initial thought was Ammonia, the test was very slightly elevated the first time (perhaps 0.25 or less) but has been 0.0ppm the last 2 times, Nitrates 0, nitrites 0 and PH 7.0 - 7.2, temp 26c.

We've been doing 50% water changes every second week. Stocking consisted of 5 cherry barbs in a heavily planted 172 ltr tank at the time but we've since lost 3 barbs and have added a peacock eel. The tank has been active for over 10 weeks, we fishless cycled with stresszyme.

Our filtration consists of the in-built AR850 trickle filter and a 2215 Eheim, this has created a fare amount of current and we've noticed the smaller cherry barbs are having to work quite hard. We have a bubblier with an air stone for surface agitation but we've decided to aim the Eheim wand at more of an angle in hopes that it will increase surface agitation and decrease the current.

Could it possibly be gill flukes? we have no idea what we're looking for, any ideas?

We have a furry pic of the red gills if needed.

Cheers

[Carlos & Siran]

:bounce:

[livingart]

so is the eel all right

gills are usually covered in mucus with flukes

and parts of gill can be eaten away

from here

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=32910&p=361865&hilit=diseases+of+fish#p361865

Gill and Skin Flukes

Flukes are a kind of parasite that attach themselves to specific parts of the fish. Different flukes attach different parts of the body. There is a particular gill fluke that is known to occur only in Discus gills, and is responsible for the death of many juvenile fish. Adult fish can act as carriers and infect newly introduced fish

What it looks like:

Skin and Gill Flukes are usually invisible to the naked eye, but the behaviour of the fish can indicate an infection. Fish that 'flash' or 'strike' objects in the tank may be irritated by skin flukes - those that breathe heavily through one gill whilst clamping the other shut may have gill flukes.

What causes it:

Flukes are parasites that can be carried by Adult fish with little effect. Adult fish can usually suppress any outbeak through their own immune system's defences, however young fish, or uninfected fish that are bought into contact with 'carriers' can be overwhelmed before they develop immunity.

What to do:

Check you water parameters. Treat with Fluke Tabs or Trichlorphon, following the manufactures instructions. Read the warning labels - strong doses of organo-phosphates kill certain fish (like elephant fish) instantly.

There are other treatments, however they involve dangerous chemicals and specialist knowledge, and along with the remedies mentioned above can kill other kinds of fish instantly.