baby rtc gill curl (part 2)

[bahamaqt00]

So we just pulled him out into a shallow bucket and massaged his gill like someone suggested. His gill is already hard and just bounces right back into the curl. Is there any saving him? We are really nervous about the surgery. I have researched how to use clove oil to put them to sleep and whatnot but I don't know how far back to cut and what about the risk of infection after the surgery? Also, what would happen if nothing was done about it? Would he die?

Thank you!
Ashley

 

[bahamaqt00]

anyone?

 

[mamapuff]

My little guy had gill curl when we rescued him at 2 1/2 inches, and still has it today at 10. I tried the massaging a few times, and either it's not going to work for him(though they seem less stiff and more "flowy", or I may keep trying. It hasn't affected him in any negative way, he just has funny looking gills, (on top of the fact his face is deformed as well, he has a under bite, and a flat face.) I don't think i would have the guts to do the surgery in fear that I might screw up and hurt Joker. Keep the water clean and aerated and just keep him fat and healthy. And don't worry too much about him, they are hearty fish.

You can see how tiny he was and he had it then, and then this is him about a month ago with his two buddies. The lima and him are never apart, unless the giraffe wants top bunk.

 

[HPIZZLE]

just keep th water clean and he very well may outgrow it. ive had some that did. either way its not going to hurt him. you act as though hes gonna die from it...

 

[tscharf]

mine had it when he was little and outgrew it when he hit about 12, they say gill curl can be caused by a calcium insufficiency, and i feed my guys smelt with the bones in it so they can get the calcium, id just wait to see if he out grows it

 

[bahamaqt00]

Thanks guys I will keep the water clean, keep massaging and try to get some calcium in his diet. I was acting like he was going to die from it because I didn't know if he COULD die from it. Its like when your newborn coughs you worry and take them to the doctor thinking there could be something seriously wrong! I have never had this happen before so I didn't know. Hopefully he will grow out of it

 

[Red Devil]

this must happen quite often.. my little two incher has it too.. i did not notice it when i got him.. but it was there... i hope he outgrows it too

 

[mamapuff]

Mine didn't But thats ok, he still steals my heart with his goofy grin. I love having a fish that always smiles at me, even when he's mad lol.

 

[Red Devil]

Mine didn't But thats ok, he still steals my heart with his goofy grin. I love having a fish that always smiles at me, even when he's mad lol.

he is adorable.. and yes that is some happy grin.. i don't care if mine has it too for the rest of his life as long as it doesn't take away his quality of life.. so far so good..

 

[mamapuff]

Same with me. If I saw that he wasn't doing well, I wouldn't keep him around for my sake, but he's doing fantastic. I keep getting so excited every time I feed now. I have converted him to eating pellet, and not just massivore, he loves every pellet that falls in. Veggie stix, krill bits, the catfish pellets, and the spirulina pellets, not to mention how funny he is trying to swim around catching flake in his mouth. He still gets his chunks of shrimp and tilapia, (what he used to solely eat) but to watch him get that famous round cat belly after stuffing his face full of pellets, I can't get enough of that lol. Any pics of you and the OP's baby? He will retreat to his cave after wards and sit watching me and I crack up thinking that he's in there moaning "uuuuuuuuuuuh... tooo.... much.... foooood..."

Can fish burp? lol