Help! strange gill swelling?

[toolingrl]

hello all,

my fish seems to have some pink fleshy stuff coming out of its gills on one side of it, and it is gasping for air. I've never seen anything like this and cannot find anything related to it in a google search. other than this fleshy mass it seems to look healthy.. any ideas?

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

I would like to have a photo of this condition. I don't know the kind of fish you're referring to, how long you've had this fish, if it had this condition when you acquired it, other marine life forms that it is together with, foods being fed, etc., etc.

Maybe you can provide the additional information, but a picture is also needed.

[toolingrl]

Im not quite sure how to post a picture to you? It is a damsel that is approximately 2 years old. he lives with a yellow tang and live rock. I've have the reef set up for about 5 years now.He eats frozen brine shrimp and algae with the odd freeze dried treat. The swelling seems to have gone down but it is still there. It looks like red fleshy bits sticking out of his gills. perhaps you could let me know how to post a link for a photo?

Thanks

[toolingrl]

fishy3 picture by toolingrl - Photobucket

fishy2 picture by toolingrl - Photobucket

fishy1 picture by toolingrl - Photobucket

I added them on photobucket.. hope this works!

[leebca]

The linked photos did open up. But they're not as up close as desired.

From what I do see, it could be the gills are swollen. This can be from a bacterial or other type of parasite. Best to first assume it is bacterial and treat the fish in a quarantine tank with an antibiotic for marine fishes. I like using Maracyn Two for saltwater fishes, but any antibiotic for topical infections made for saltwater fishes with a Gram Negative bacterial infection will be fine. Do not use Erythromycin which is for Gram Positive bacteria.

If you need quarantine info, follow these guidelines: A Quarantine Process (step-by-step)

Check for dead and/or decaying stuff in your system. Time to clean it up; remove detritus and built up dirt from under and around rocks and in all corners. Check to be sure your skimmer is properly working, use activated carbon if you don't or change the carbon if you do. Check out this post, too: What is Water Quality

[toolingrl]

Thanks a lot Lee.. Let's hope it helps!