Diseases of the Gills

Pale Gills – Fish are being bled by parasites. Treat for flukes using Shotgun One or Shotgun Two – while ensuring the BEST possible water quality.

Rotting Gills –  Bacterial infection, and needs to be treated gently because fish with rotting gills need MORE OXYGEN and then gentle recovery from bacterial infection. Cooler water (70-75 DF) is better for these fish. I like LIFEGUARD in aquarium fish with gill rot (as a bath) but in Koi and Pond fish, see this document.

Gills with Green Patches – Can be fungal or bacterial infection. Shotgun Two may be effective but keep in mind that in any way you go, the fish will have trouble breathing. Bacterial infection, and needs to be treated gently because fish with rotting gills need MORE OXYGEN and then gentle recovery from bacterial infection. Cooler water (70-75 DF) is better for these fish. I like LIFEGUARD in aquarium fish with gill rot (as a bath) but in Koi and Pond fish, see this document.

Gills with White Patches – Bacterial infection USUALLY, and needs to be treated gently because fish with rotting gills need MORE OXYGEN and then gentle recovery from bacterial infection. Cooler water (70-75 DF) is better for these fish. I like LIFEGUARD in aquarium fish with gill rot (as a bath) but in Koi and Pond fish, see this document.

Gills with Maggots Attached –  Almost only in goldfish or ponds, with Koi as well. That’s ERGASILUS or Gill Maggots. You need a chitin synthesis inhibitor. See THIS page.

Holes in the Gill Cover –  Is nutritional or tuberculosis. There are also gill defects from genetics. But it’s POSSIBLE that bacterial infections are working the case. So while making the environment as perfect as possible and eliminating the possibility of parasites, Treat bacterial infections,. Especially if the gills themselves appear diseased.

Curled Gill Covers –  Nutritional. Need better food. Happens in babies that get sub par food or are underfed with too much competition.