gills not closed

[wil_1110]

i have a 10 gallon tank that i keep my feeders in and noticed that one of my feeders have this nasty looking thing going on with its gill.

i want to know what it is just for my information and if its safe to feed my tsn feeders that are like this.

 

[calioutlaw1a]

It's likely due to a malformation of the operculum (gill plate). This is relatively common in several species, particularly in species like those used as feeders where quantity is more important than quality, and good husbandry is not a top priority.