Is this gill rot on my Cardinal Tetra?

[wildcherry]

Hi all,

I'm looking for opinions on what's going on with my Cardinal Tetra, see photo - is it gill rot do you think?

Looks sore, poor wee thing! I just noticed it today, it looks like exposed flesh and is pale pink. It's breathing quicker than normal but otherwise behaving normally. Have had them 2.5 - 3 years.

Last PWC was 30% 8 days ago, water test results from today (API liquid kit):

Temp: 24.5 - 25.5C
pH: 6.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

Haven't added anything lately other than Fluke Solve a couple of weeks ago as annual routine.

Any advice much appreciated!

Cherry

[plankton]

I don't think so. Is it possible you've had an ammonia spike without noticing?
It could be an age thing, but they usually live 4-5 years.
Try a drop of Melafix.
Why do you dose anti-fluke stuff as a precaution?

[wildcherry]

Thanks plankton, will do.

I guess, but I can't think what might have caused it if so. Everybody's present and accounted for and I'm careful not to overfeed. I'll test ammonia again today in case 0 was a false reading.

Only other thing I can think of is maybe it somehow got in the way of one of my Diamonds at feeding time? I fed those stick-on glass things the other day, and you know when Diamonds go into piranha mode?! Although I can't see it, it looks too clean for a freak injury like that.

I read it was a good idea to worm annually so used Fluke Solve, not a good idea? Also to treat a very skinny Cardinal which we lost in the end (about 3 weeks ago now). It worked mind you! At least 5 fish passed something very thin and white. I'd bought it a couple of months back for a Cherry Barb with potential gill fluke, but didn't end up using it as it disappeared on it's own.

Thanks plankton, appreciate your expert eyes.

[plankton]

I don't use meds unless there's a problem.
Pathogens tend to build up a resistance if they keep getting blasted.