Ammonia burn or something else?

[jaganshi066]

Ive had my other flameback for over a year and I was out of town for two weeks and decided to leave my flameback with a fish store which was a huge mistake. After I got it back a few days ago I noticed both sides of the gills are red. I was told it could be ammonia burn, but I’m not sure. He was like this when they have it to me in the bag, but he’s still eating/moving well. It’s been 4 days since I’ve gotten him back

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Was there a chance this fish was exposed to high ammonia? Seems like the store should have known how to avoid issues like that. I do see the coloration change to both gill areas, but the fish looks really good in all other aspects. These Centropyge angels get tangled up in fish nets pretty easily - I wonder if the store mishandled it in a net?
I don't know of any marine fish diseases that cause dark gills like this...

Jay

 

[jaganshi066]

Was there a chance this fish was exposed to high ammonia? Seems like the store should have known how to avoid issues like that. I do see the coloration change to both gill areas, but the fish looks really good in all other aspects. These Centropyge angels get tangled up in fish nets pretty easily - I wonder if the store mishandled it in a net?
I don't know of any marine fish diseases that cause dark gills like this...

Jay

The only thing I saw in the store when I picked it up is that it was with a big powder blue tang, the problem is the powder blue had white spots looked like ich all over it

 

[jaganshi066]

Was there a chance this fish was exposed to high ammonia? Seems like the store should have known how to avoid issues like that. I do see the coloration change to both gill areas, but the fish looks really good in all other aspects. These Centropyge angels get tangled up in fish nets pretty easily - I wonder if the store mishandled it in a net?
I don't know of any marine fish diseases that cause dark gills like this...

Jay

Also that store only captures the fish with a container, they don’t use a net so that’s what I really like, I’m just worried. Other than that it’s been about 4/5 days and he’s eating and moving well!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The only thing I saw in the store when I picked it up is that it was with a big powder blue tang, the problem is the powder blue had white spots looked like ich all over it

Ugh, that may show up as an issue in your fish in a few days....
Jay

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Also that store only captures the fish with a container, they don’t use a net so that’s what I really like, I’m just worried. Other than that it’s been about 4/5 days and he’s eating and moving well!

O.k., well - I can’t explain the discoloration and of course, no subsequent treatment (I hate guessing or using shotgun treatments!). Can you just let me know if ANY symptoms change?
Jay

 

[jaganshi066]

O.k., well - I can’t explain the discoloration and of course, no subsequent treatment (I hate guessing or using shotgun treatments!). Can you just let me know if ANY symptoms change?
Jay

Thank you for the help! Do you think it’s ok to put him in my display or wait longer?

 

[Hincapiej4]

If he was in a tank with a powder blue that is confirmed to have Ich. DO NOT PUT THIS ANGEL IN YOUR TANK. TREAT IT FIRST.

 

[jaganshi066]

If he was in a tank with a powder blue that is confirmed to have Ich. DO NOT PUT THIS ANGEL IN YOUR TANK. TREAT IT FIRST.

He’s in copper right now since my qt has cupramine but yea I’ll probably wait another two weeks.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the help! Do you think it’s ok to put him in my display or wait longer?

I would definitely wait - my prime rule is never move a fish to a new tank that may have an unidentified disease.

Jay

 

[Hincapiej4]

He’s in copper right now since my qt has cupramine but yea I’ll probably wait another two weeks.

Treat it means finish the treatment silly....

 

[jaganshi066]

Treat it means finish the treatment silly....

I know but I feel bad this guy has been through two copper treatments already

 

[Hincapiej4]

Are you doing the treatment correctly?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Dang. Idk. Poor fish. U can definatly see the red around the gills.
Hope someone knows.
D