8.5" and 6.5" delhezi's still have external gills...

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glowbug0015

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 27, 2006
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Torrance, CA
I've read that delhezi's tend to keep their gills for longer, but I was just wondering for how much longer. I also wonder if mine have kept them longer for any particular reason- my water parameters are very good (0 NH4,0 NO2,5 NO3, 2 degrees KH, 8 degrees GH), but I noticed the waste in the tank tends to stay whole and not dissipate to pollute the water (IMO). I have two in a 75 gallon, sharing with one bushynose pleco. They have lots of hiding places and plants, and they've been getting along decent. I plan to move them into a bigger tank but maybe not for another year (when I move).

These pictures are the same delhezi, the larger one, but my camera sucks so its hard to see the gills.

P1010181.JPG

P1010180.JPG
 
from what i've heard them still having their externals is a good sign, as it means you have excellent water quality and nothing has niped them off.
 
I'm not entirely sure what makes them stay either. I've also heard its superb water quality, and I have a 6'' endli that still has externals. On top of that, a baby jag bit them off two weeks ago and they are growing right back. It's pretty cool... the only thing Gustavo gets that the others don't is nearly endless food to keep up with his growth rate. He also has never been in a tank with more than two or three other fish. I'm not sure if it's the water in my case - the filter I was using in his tank was old and tempermental and would shut down spontaneously and need to be restarted whenever we figured out it had died again. So, who knows, but it's awesome to see other fish with externals :)

Jessie*
 
i'm not entirely sure either why the external gills on some individuals stay longer than others. i guess genetics plays a part, but there's likely other factors....who knows....i personally don't think it necessarily means the water quality HAS to be very good, the way i see it, at least the water isn't bad. as for juvy bichirs growing back damaged external gills, i guess in some sense it could be similar to growing back damaged fins...
 
thanks for all the feedback. I'm feeling pretty good about myself now :headbang2
 
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