Diamond goby gill damage

[Red2143]

I have a sand sifting goby in a biocube with a stock lid. Somehow the fish made it's way into the back chamber sitting on top of the filter pad with water flowing over it.

I have no idea how long it was out of water but overnight.

Fish is still alive and eatting mysis put in front of it but seems to be breathing very hard and hiding in its cave.

Can this damage heal? How long?

 

[littlefoxx]

I have a sand sifting goby in a biocube with a stock lid. Somehow the fish made it's way into the back chamber sitting on top of the filter pad with water flowing over it.

I have no idea how long it was out of water but overnight.

Fish is still alive and eatting mysis put in front of it but seems to be breathing very hard and hiding in its cave.

Can this damage heal? How long?

I had a watchmen do this too, he recovered no issues really. But Ill tag @Jay Hemdal @vetteguy53081 too just so they can help. They will want pictures under white light and a video of the fish

 

[Red2143]

Video

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Video

The fish is breathing deeply and "coughing". this can be a sign of gill damage, but also a sign of gill flukes. The fish is also a bit thin.

At this point, I would feed it small amounts multiple times a day and see if the breathing settles down after a few days. If it doesn't, or gets worse, I think you should consider that it might be gill flukes. If it is from damage due to going over the overflow, there is nothing to do but give it time.

Jay

 

[Red2143]

Thank you. Is there a way to identify gill flukes? The other fish seem fine and the goby didn't have any of these issues before getting stuck in the overflow

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you. Is there a way to identify gill flukes? The other fish seem fine and the goby didn't have any of these issues before getting stuck in the overflow

No, gill flukes just cause rapid or deep breathing and "coughing". Sometimes, the fish will flash/scratch its gill cover.

Jay