problem with red tail cat gill

[stil3z]

I just picked up my new 15cm redtail cat yesterday from my local lfs. It was'nt till I got it home wen I noticed the left gill had looked a lil odd. It seems to have flipped inside out or just a deformaty, Im not sure any ideas?

 

[blacktip]

It's very possible that this is a birth defect. My RTC was born without one gill plate and without the bottom pair of whiskers as well. So far, neither of these defects have caused him any issues.

 

[Timpon]

Its probaly gill curl.

I heard that rtc's gills curl inside out when they have issues with water quality.

Mine has just developed it in the last 2 weeks, eventhough my water parameters are fine.

Maybe they're genetic, like dropeye in silver arowanas.

Alot of the rtc in the lfs has them as well.

 

[moxxommox]

weird, I've never seen it before, mind you i've never really looked, post a pic?

 

[HarleyK]

Hard to visualize. Post a pic



.

 

[guppy]

I have never had it happen with a fish of mine but it is apparently also a problem with arowanas, here is a link, the info is about 2/3 down. http://www.geocities.com/bkyoong/problem.html
Another suspect as to cause is a diet that does not contain enough variety.

 

[stil3z]

thanks boys. I decided to call my lfs and told them of my problem. They said it was gill curl and that it is common. Their 2 40cm red tails also does that at times. He said that around the skin along the gill is tight so often is curls. Once it rubs onto somthing it could possibly flip back to place.
I sugested if I could just use my hand and flip it back, he said give it ago. I was told just to leave it and let it undo itself.