Red Gills from nitrite

[chipchop]

Some of my fish have red gills from nitrite exposure. I am remedying the water with large water changes and am treating with salt. Question is:

is the gill damage permanent? Or does it improve once the tank is better.

 

[Zagz]

In most instances if you keep the water ammonia and nitrite free, the fish will recover. It is a burn remember so it is important to not allow any ammonia or nitrite again to build up at all.

 

[chipchop]

thanks. I hear you - this is all part of the "really bad start to a new tank" deal. I have been working this thing hard - 70% daily water changes - for almost 2 weeks now. Making it better.

 

[Innovator]

Healthy gills are red to bright red. Tan to brown gills reflect NO2 poisoning. NO2 poisoning can result from elevated NH3 and chronic NH3 poisoning can lead to gill "fusion".