Red Area Around Gill

[goldenpuon]

One of teh goldfish I have had 6 years, Aztec has a bright red area right next to one of its gills. The other gill looks completely normal. The fish is not gasping, is eating fine, and acting healthy. If the area around its gill was not red, I would think nothing was wrong. For now, I'm just waiting to see if the fish will be able to recover on its own, but if anyone has any input or idea of what might have caused this, please let me know. Thanks


Aztec is in a 40 gallon with 7 other goldfish with a Hydro Sponge 3 filter, AquaClear HOB. The HOB filter is cleaned monthly and 33% water changes complete with siphoning up mulm is dione strictly every 2 weeks. I did not test the water, but I suspect that the PH, GH, and KH are in the lower-good range for goldfish and that the nitrate is likely 15 or under. (I know this tank's numbers very well after having it running for over 3 years.)

Here are some pictures of Aztec I got tonight. I ONLY took pictures of the gill with the red near it. The other gill appears 100% fine and unfortunately did not get a picture of the other gill for comparison.


Video of the fish during feeding time. They are "chewing" a bit on their food here as well as searching and aren't too happy about the camera.

s457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/goldenpuon/?action=view¤t=100_4795.mp4

Pictures of Aztec...

[Carl]

There are many possible causes, but likely most (such as high ammonia) do not apply here.

Since the gills are rich in blood capillaries, it may simply be from a mild injury, irritation, or similar.

Doing "nothing" may be the best coarse for now, although a bath with Methylene Blue or an in tank treatment of Melafix or Triple Sulfa would also be potentially good proactive treatments .

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for the prompt response Carl. I will keep an eye on Aztec. This fish had been known to get itself into some interesting situations such as a Hydro Sponge intake tube last year, 3 years ago had a red area around its abdomen which went away but was unexplained, and of course its fins tear more easily than the order fish since they are VERY long.

I have never seen the other fish bully or nip at Aztec in all the years I have kept him/her, so I suppose the caught might remain a mystery. :/

Renee

[goldenpuon]

For an update on Aztec, the red completely cleared up after 2 days and the area around the gill is back to its normal coloration. I have no idea why or how this happened, but am happy it turned out to be nothing a couple days didn't fix.

Renee

[Carl]

Good News!

I suspected he would be OK.

Carl