Fish Dying?

Question

My shark has a red thing sticking out of his left gill. What is it and if/how can I treat it?

Answer 1

It's impossible to say without quite a bit more information. First, it would be important to know if this is a marine shark or some type of freshwater fish known as shark in it's common name. If the object is very, very tiny it could be a monogenean as a previous poster suggested, but since these range in size from 0.2mm to about 0.5 mm, they would be quite difficult to see. If this is a very recent addition to your tank it's possible it's a digenean, but these too are quite small at about 4-6 mm for the larger ones and typically these trematodes are internal parasites.

There are various copepods that could be responsible or even leeches, depending on what fish you are referring to.

I would tend towards physical damage and you are seeing some part of the gill tissue. If this is the case there is probably nothing you can do.

If you can add some details we can narrow down the search.

MM

Answer 2

I'm wondering if this isn't a fluke of some sort. I checked in with wetwebmedia.com to see if anyone had had a problem like yours. A professor was requesting information on monogenean parasites of fish. Here is the excerpt from the freshwater gill fluke area..see if it matches your fish's symptom:
Most monogeneans are browsers, moving about the body surface and feeding on dermal (skin) mucus and gill debris. Monogeneans have a series of hooks that enable them to attach while feeding ( Figure 1 ). Most species are host- and site-specific, requiring only one host to complete an entire life cycle. In fact, some adult monogeneans will remain permanently attached to a single site on the host.
Dactylogyrus is usually attached to the gills of freshwater fish. It reproduces by laying eggs, which are often resistant to chemical treatment, therefore weekly treatment over a period of 34 weeks is recommended.
Freshwater fish infested with skin-inhabiting flukes become lethargic, swim near the surface, seek the sides of the pond and their appetite dwindles. They may be seen rubbing the bottom or sides of the holding facility (flashing). The skin, where the flukes are attached, shows areas of scale loss and may ooze a pinkish serous fluid. Heavy gill infestations ( Figure 2 ) result in respiratory disease. Gills may be swollen and pale, respiration rate may be increased, and fish will be less tolerant of low oxygen conditions. "Piping," gulping air at the water surface, may be observed in fish with severe respiratory distress. Large numbers of monogeneans on either the skin or gills may result in significant damage and mortality. Secondary infection by bacteria and fungus is common on tissue that has been damaged by monogeneans.

Answer 3

sounds like a bacterial infection of his gills. you can treat with an antibiotic and raise the tank temperature but alot of times if something is hanging out its too late. look at the rest of you r fish for symptoms. I would go ahead and take him to the fish store and they can tell you what it is and if you need to treat your whole tank.

Answer 4

Your shark has a bacterial infection. Fin infections will improve just by improving the quality of your water. I would perform a water change and try adding Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Melafix.

Answer 5

if its soft, its part of the gill and no u cant treat it, if its not soft, take it to a vet or someting (that would be an interesting trip though lol) cuz its eatin something it shouldnt have

Answer 6

i'd get some melafix from the pet store and put him a tank by himself with raised temp.