Enlarged/swollen Gill area

[btb72]

My lfs sent me this photo asking what it was and I’ve never seen it before. The sargassum gills are swollen and red.

 

[btb72]

Only pictures I have

 

[btb72]

@Jay Hemdal any ideas?
He has had it for 2/3 months

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Both sides look the same? How is the fish’s respiration rate? Count the breaths it takes in 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Do it a couple of times and get an average. Should be less than 80.
Jay

 

[btb72]

I honestly don’t know anything except for the pictures that were sent. If both sides are the same does it mean anything compared to if different. It wasn’t like this till last night they said.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I honestly don’t know anything except for the pictures that were sent. If both sides are the same does it mean anything compared to if different. It wasn’t like this till last night they said.

Ah, diagnosing fish diseases remotely is tricky, but in this case, there is one extra layer, as you also are working remotely (grin).

If both gills are equally affected, then it becomes a systemic problem. If just one gill is, then it could be an injury, or even thyroid hyperplasia.

Without a respiration rate, I can't assess possible gill damage, so I can't advise on what direction to go:

1) Bacterial gill disease would be to treat with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic.

2) Gill flukes would be a 5 minute FW dip to bring some relief then Prazipro 3X over two weeks.

Jay