Outer Lungs in Delhezi?

[lpenn31]

My Polypterus Delhezi has two Outer lung looking things coming out of its gill. it does not look like a parasite it eats well and moves well and looks great. Is this normal though?

 

[neesejohn]

I can't really see what you're talking about in this. I assume the gills are coming out from behind the gill plates, correct?

Is this a recent happening or is this fish a new addition?

If this has always been, then I would say, it's fine. The fish is just more prone to infections and injuries. Keep a good water change schedule with a low bacterial count, and you should be good.

I would like more details on this though.

Hope this helps,
John

 

[haynchinook334]

Yes, it normal. It will go away after it hit 5'' or so.

 

[lpenn31]

Thanks Haynchinok. i was a little confused but now i feel good that it will be fine.

 

[BlackShark11k]

In the wild they will sometimes retain their external gills up to about 4'', namely specimens found in highly oxygenated areas, namely around water hyacinth (Eichhornia), which, are not actually native to Africa. It looks like you have an aerator in your tank which would explain the abundance of oxygen and therefore your poly having external gills. If you removed the aerator they would likely go away, although it really is not a problem and there is no reason to.

 

[lpenn31]

Yeah to be honest they dont look that bad i just dont want another fish to nip at them. if they go away i will be happy though.

 

[Darth Scohin]

MY Del still has external gills at 7" not very big mind you but they're still there...When you said outer lung it made me think facehuggers from Alien

 

[lpenn31]

haha yeah. really odd but i still love my delhezi

 

[dpk2313]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306246

I was wondering the same heres a thread that will hopfully answer any other questions you have about their External gills