Deciphering the Reasons Behind Dragon Fish Flared Gills

Section 1: Symptoms of Koi Fish Gasping for Air

In the early stages of displaying gasping for air symptoms, koi fish often exhibit an irregular movement of the soft gill edges, along with an abnormal breathing rate. Additionally, the soft gill areas may slightly swell, and the second operculum may become slightly concave. Subsequently, the soft gill areas may roll over, exposing the gill filaments to the water. In severe cases, koi fish may show signs of rapid breathing, floating at the surface, ceasing to eat, and becoming weak. Moreover, if the gill filaments are infected by bacteria, it can easily disrupt their normal function, leading to suffocation and potentially fatal outcomes.

Section 2: Causes of Koi Fish Gasping for Air

There are several reasons that can lead to koi fish gasping for air, including:

1. Incorrect feeding practices by the owner, such as not promptly cleaning up leftover food or waste, can lead to water quality degradation and reduced oxygen levels in the water. Koi fish living in such conditions are more susceptible to gasping for air.

2. Limited swimming space is another common cause. Koi fish need to constantly turn around in confined spaces, which can eventually affect the normal functioning of their gills and lead to gasping. Generally, the length of the aquarium should be three times the length of the fish to ensure adequate space.

3. Inadequate temperature control, either too cold or too hot, can also impact the sensitive gills of koi fish, leading to gasping for air.

4. Additionally, improper use of aeration devices can cause the gills to be constantly stimulated by water currents, contributing to gasping for air.

Section 3: Treatment Measures

1. In the early stages of gasping for air, where the koi fish shows difficulty in breathing, improving water quality is the primary treatment method. This involves changing 1/5 of the water every 23 days and increasing oxygen supply to enhance water solubility, which can effectively cure the koi fish.

2. In the middle stage of gasping for air, when the soft gill areas start to roll over but have not yet hardened, in addition to the initial treatment, physical therapy can be applied, such as adding a wave maker to strengthen water flow. This utilizes the koi fish's tendency to swim against the current to stimulate the gills. However, the success rate for this treatment in the middle stage is only about 50%.

3. In the late stage of gasping for air, when the soft gill areas have fully hardened, surgical intervention is the only option for treatment.

Pet Doctor's Tip: Gasping for air in koi fish is not a trivial matter; it can be lifethreatening. Owners must not take it lightly. If gasping for air is detected in koi fish, treatment should be initiated immediately to prevent the condition from worsening and to seize the opportunity for effective treatment.