HURT AFRICAN CICHLID WILL HE LIVE?

[longislandfish]

Hey Guys,

One of my African cichlids, (sorry no pic yet) has had an accident.
Not sure how it happened, I think he was bit during feeding time b another by accident. Anyway ----

his left gill opening was ripped off and open. I can see the bright red Gills, (he looks to be breathing a little heavier than average but he is fine with no signs of death and is still eating big!.

My question is, will that part of his body (exterior gill flap) grow back? or will he always have open gills now>? I hope it grows back or he will be like the phantom of the opera in his tank. (maybe i will get him a piano)

any help is appreciated.

thanks,

tom

 

[jhutch]

Gill covers in my experience don't grow back. It is most likely a permanant deformity now. I would just dose the tank with some Melafix or something of your choice and he should do just fine until the gills get hit.

 

[longislandfish]

thats too bad, he was such a good looking fish. I will let him be.

thanks for the help

-tom

 

[cichlidgirl]

Sorry to hear about his injury. How much and what part of the gill flap is missing now ?

 

[Muske]

Is it the hard gill plate, or just the skin on it?