Diseases of the gills: a common problem
The gills of the fish are essential for oxygenation, so if they are sick, they also reduce the health and immune defenses of the fish, leaving them prone to being sick at the same time by viruses or parasites.
As you can see in the images, the fish suck water through the mouth, then assimilate oxygen through the gills and release water with Carbon Dioxide or CO2.
This disease that affects the gills can be caused by different microorganisms.
Agents associated with gill inflation:
-Myxobacteria
-Amoeba Peramoeba Perurans.
– Microsporidal infection, especially associated with amoebas, is spread by salmon lice.
– Smallpox
– Non-infectious contributors: algae, jellyfish, hydroids, etc.
Symptoms:
They are very variable because they have different causes, but generally the fish settle on the surface of the water, stop eating, their gills lose color and become lighter, excessive mucus appears, they do not eat, their gills turn pale and they suffer hyperplasia (increase in size suffered by a fish). organ or organic tissue due to the increase in the number of cells that make it up) of the respiratory tissue.
Treatment and drugs:
– Salinity:
Salinity, if the species can, is fundamental regarding deworming and improving gills and respiration.
(250 mg/13.21 gal for 5-7 alternate days with intermediate water changes of 20% of the tank) … Best to always isolate the fish in a quarantine tank so that the antibiotic does not affect the bacterial flora in the aquarium filter major.
– Optimization:
Provide very good aeration or oxygenation, Ph and optimal cleanliness and water quality throughout the treatment and Aloe Vera.
