Gold barbs seem to have some slight reddening around the gills

Hi.

A couple of my gold barbs seem to have some slight reddening around the gills.

Can't remember if they have always been like that and I've only just noticed. I know the inside of the gills are red anyway but is reddening around the gills a symptom of anything?

Tried to take a pic but they won't stay still.



No other symptoms of anything and they are all swimming and eating fine.

 

Could be due to presence of ammonia. What are your parameters?

 

Also the eyes seem a bit red. Again I'm not sure if this has always been the case and I've only just noticed.

Had them about 3-4 months.

I did a water test about a week ago and there was almost no ammonia. I'm gonna do another one now

Ammonia is like 0 maybe 0.1 ish

 

Any amount of ammonia is toxic and can burn and irritate tissues, especially sensitive tissues like gills.

What are your other parameters?

 

What are your testing with? What about nitrite and nitrates?

 

I have a nutrafin master testing kit. But it's very old. The colour chart looks like I'm clear of ammonia. But I can never tell if there is a slight tinge.

I'll do the others now.

 

Is there an expiry date on the kit?

 

Is there an expiration date on the kit or bottles?

Edit: ninja'd!

 

Oh shizzle
Expires 2012!!!

This was my nitrate - seemed ok but maybe that counts for nothing now.

 

I wouldn't trust it. The reagents can degrade over time and you won't likely be getting a real reading.

 

Ok. New test kit for me tomorrow then I guess.

Thanks

 

We'll be here!

 

Taken a while but here are my readings.

Ph = 7.8
Nitrite = 0
Ammonia = 0
Nitrates = about 30

I think the redness is fine but two of the barbs are seriously fat. I have cut them down on food so hopefully that will help.

 

Glad to see it's not ammonia but I'd get at least a 50% water change in there to keep nitrates below 20.

 

Ye I have done the wc and will re test shortly. I think my tap water might be high in nitrates so I'm gonna test that as well.

Thanks for the heads up about the test kit. I'd have been using it for months.