Zebra Danio injury

**Kazenouta** · 01-02-2010, 02:18 AM

So, recently I've noticed one of my Danio's gill covers on the left side of its body seems to be missing. It's showing more of the pink under-flesh than the other danios. There isn't any sign of fungus nor is the fish acting strange at all. It's still eating, playing, and otherwise acting normal. It's been this way for about a week without any sort of ill behavior resulting from this.

Any ideas/suggestions as to what might have happened? This danio lives with a school of 4 others in a 15g tank with a Dwarf Gourami. The Dwarf occasionally gets territorial if the danios stay to long in a certain part of the tank. They've always been fast enough to avoid any of the Gourami's nip attempts but, obviously I can't watch the tank while I'm sleeping.

**Little Embers** · 01-02-2010, 04:51 AM

I had a leopard danio once that was missing a gill flap when I bought it (not sure if it was born with it missing, which can happen and is a birth defect, or it was nipped off. He never encountered any problems/illness because of it...it never grew back though!

If your danio still has enough of the gill flap left, it should repair and grow back hopefully. It could have been nipped off or he accidentally tore it on decor. Fish heal very quickly normally, so if he is otherwise in great shape, healthy and eating well as you mentioned, I would just make sure the water quality is kept as high as possible and keep an eye on him.

**Mith** · 01-02-2010, 07:44 AM

I also had a Bumblebee that was having some type of body fungus problem which included the deterioration of his gill cover. I qt her and medicated her... she's much better now and the gill cover seems to be healing. Don't give up hope!

**Aeonflame** · 01-02-2010, 11:21 AM

Zebra danios are extremely hardy little fish. Their ability to recover from injuries that would kill most other fish has made them the subject of numerous scientific studies. I am pretty sure your fish will live its natural life in health.

**annageckos** · 01-02-2010, 04:55 PM

Just make sure to keep up on the water changes. Danios are tough little fish and if acting normal otherwise should be fine.

**Deleted User** · 01-02-2010, 07:17 PM

I agree that danios are about indestructible. Some Melafix might speed the healing of that area.

**Kazenouta** · 01-03-2010, 02:50 AM

Thanks for all he quick replies, everyone. If nothing else you've given me a big boost of hope for the little guy.

Jill- I'll look into the so-called Melafix you mentione

**MrJim** · 01-03-2010, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by Aeonflame

Zebra danios are extremely hardy little fish. Their ability to recover from injuries that would kill most other fish has made them the subject of numerous scientific studies. I am pretty sure your fish will live its natural life in health.

My comet ate the tail off one of my zebras, nothin' left but a pink nubbin'. It's growing back quite nicely without the aids of any medications...quite remarkable.