Need help:Pygocentrus nattereri‘s gills roll up

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trevor033911

Feeder Fish
Jun 20, 2025
1
0
1
25
HongKong
Have you tested your water?
Yes
If yes, what is your ammonia?
0
If yes, what is your nitrite?
0
If yes, what is your nitrate?
haven's rerw
If I did not test my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
Do you do water changes?
No
What percentage of water do you change?
0-10%
How frequently do you change your water?
Every two weeks
If I do not change my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
Hey everyone. There are around 20 Pygocentrus nattereri in my tank. And I feed them from they are very small. Recently I found they may have some gills problem. Firstly just 1 fish. Now they are around 4 fishes got this problem. The water quality is pertty good. No ammonia no nitrite. I just don't know why they got this diease. I really love these fish and feed them boiled shrimp, codfish, squid etc. But I changed the water not usually so the nitrate may a little bit high. So how to treat them. The fishbowl is 43 gallon with 6 gallon bottom filter. :( Thanks everyoneIMG_1386.jpg

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I don’t have experience keeping piranhas. But the tank is too small for the fish biomass, and no (or little) water changes is not likely to result in long term health, even in a large tank. Those are the issues I would address, starting with regular and large water changes. Good luck.
 
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I agree with the above. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue, but starting with cleaner water (and a bigger tank long term) will help.
The other potential cause is piranha aggression, but I wouldn’t expect them to tear off gill plates like that.
 
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