im pretty sure my RTC has it on one side i was just wondering is it treatable? And also is it deadly at all? also what causes it?
Gill Curl???
- Thread starter Jitsurob1
- Start date
Its usually caused by bad water quality, or not enough dissolved oxygen in your water, and stress probably plays a role, as with most fish health issues. If he has any size to him and he has had it for a while its almost certainly irreversible without surgery. My and my friend did the surgery on 2 of his medium sized RTCs, wasn't that bad, now no gill curl and happy fish. I don't recommend you do it yourself though.
I am under the impression that it is eventually fatal, and at some point an operation becomes necessary to save the fish. The two main things Ive heard about it are that it makes it considerably more difficult for the fish to breathe, and makes the gills way more prone to infection and injury.
Good luck getting rid of it though.
I am under the impression that it is eventually fatal, and at some point an operation becomes necessary to save the fish. The two main things Ive heard about it are that it makes it considerably more difficult for the fish to breathe, and makes the gills way more prone to infection and injury.
Good luck getting rid of it though.
Thats whats weird the water quality is perfect have it checked daily, i have tons of oxygen goin inot the water and he rules the tank hes in so zero stress what so ever.... idk where it came from unless hes had it since i got him :/
OK, sounds like you have good housing, sorry I can't help. Gill curl is one of the few diseases I haven't personally treated. I could just google it and regurgitate some info, but i don't think that's helpful.
There should be some people on here who have treated it. Try the catfish section.
There should be some people on here who have treated it. Try the catfish section.
It seems that gill curl is harmful to other fish, but RTCs are least affected by it. Especially since you have him in such a big tank, I don't think it'll be a problem.
Are you sure it's gill curl? RTC gills look kinda... IDK, a bit like they're protruding, but it's usually not gill curl. A picture would help.
Are you sure it's gill curl? RTC gills look kinda... IDK, a bit like they're protruding, but it's usually not gill curl. A picture would help.
From my understanding, gill curl is often caused by prolonged exposure to very high nitrate levels. Are you testing your nitrates? What is the water change schedule like? How many/what size fishes do you have in the tank?
Oh, and there is also birth defect as a suspect, but that's not something I've ever seen personally.
Oh, and there is also birth defect as a suspect, but that's not something I've ever seen personally.
Ya all water perameters are perfect like i said zero stress cause he rules the tank his tankmayes include silver aro, 2 tiger oscars, 2 pbass, 1 ck, TSN, ornate bichir, fire eel, 2 albino channel cats, common pleco, thats it lol of all these guys he is the biggest with the exception of the aro which is only 1 1/2inches bigger so stress is not an issue im sure.