RTG with expose gill - Need advise!!!

[stoner]

Hi Guys…

I recently got my self a 5inch RTG, whose left gill is exposed. As it been living in very unhealthy water conditions when I first saw it, in a 1ft tank with small an air driven filter.

As the owner got it/brought it in a batch… there was no way to determine whether it is a birth defect or an injury…

I know that there are many people who not take in an Arowana in such condition. Some even would say that it's a waste of money just to feed it… (No flames… please…) But I got it anyway , hoping that with lots of tender loving care and prayer… I could get the affected gill to “Close-Up”.

It’s my very first Arowana and it’s currently house in a 2ft x 1ft x 1ft tank. Filtration is by Eden 501 and a small “fist” size air pump paired with a 6" air curtain. I only have experience in keeping planted tank and would love if fellow Arowana Lovers… Experts… “Old birds” to advise me on the following:

Pics are under my gallery, is it possible for the gill to “Close up”?

Ph level : Please advise
NO3 : below 10… right?
Water current: Is concentrated on the left side of the tank, from left to right. Is it ok??? Please advise...

Do I have to look out for any other water perimeter?

Thank you...

Stoner

[Squid]

mmmm looking at the picture, I don't think its gill curl? might be genetic.
is it the soft part only? I'm not sure but it looks like the hard part is deformed?

[valerossi]

Originally Posted by Squid

mmmm looking at the picture, I don't think its gill curl? might be genetic.
is it the soft part only? I'm not sure but it looks like the hard part is deformed?

Yah...that's also wat i think....Maybe born with it...and have to live with it.

[stoner]

Thanks.. Guys for your reply...

Genetic...?

Well... Even so... I'll still keep it... pray that even if it's genetic, hopefully by any small miracle… it’ll “Close Up” one day...

It may not be a perfect looking Arowana, but it has already made me a very happy man who went to bed last night with a big wide smile. (It brought me a little luck in terms of 4D )

Hmm... the only sad part is that it can't be com. with any arowanas in the future...

[stoner]

Originally Posted by Squid

is it the soft part only?

Yes.. It seems that only the Soft part of the gill is gone... exposing the gill.

[XRTG]

for a start, you need to provide proper living conditions. the tank and filter you have clearly not enough. please search the threads for the minimum requirements.

secondly the gills looked like birth defect. dun know if surgery will fix the problem but you might want to explore this option before the aro grows bigger. young aros grow faster so the gill plate might have a chance to cover up.

[TLG]

Ph----6~6.8

[stoner]

Originally Posted by XRTG

for a start, you need to provide proper living conditions. the tank and filter you have clearly not enough. please search the threads for the minimum requirements.

secondly the gills looked like birth defect. dun know if surgery will fix the problem but you might want to explore this option before the aro grows bigger. young aros grow faster so the gill plate might have a chance to cover up.

Tank Size : Roger! Roger! Have been looking out for a 4ft tank.

Filtration: Have a Ehiem 2213 spare as a stand by for the current 2ft tank. But did'nt use it because worried that the water current would be too strong for my "baby" in the 2ft tank... Is it O.k???

Corrective Operation: I'm game for it!!! Kindly please advise how should I go about it

Thank you and cheers!

[stoner]

Originally Posted by TLG

Ph----6~6.8

Thank you for the input... Will be getting a PH meter for my "baby".

[stoner]

It's been about 2 days since I brought my "baby" home. He has eaten 2 super worms. One last night and one this morning, did'nt touch the 3rd super worm I put it...

At the size of 5", 2 super worm a day is ok right?