Gourami as a damaged gill

[spongebobert]

I just noticed it a few days ago when i saw a bloodworm sticking through its gill. Is this anything serious, or is it normal damage that will heal on its own?

 

[ValorG]

Are you sure that isn't a deformity? Either way its not going to heal over full to where it will look normal. It will always have a missing part of its gill plate.

 

[calioutlaw1a]

Operculum (gill cover) deformities are fairly common. This could be something the fish was born with, or it could be a result of trauma. If it is a deformity, it will always look like that. If it is from trauma, it may be able to repair itself to a certain extent, but will never get back to normal with that large of a chunk missing. Either way, this shouldn't have a negative effect on the fish.

 

[rufioman]

No negative effect other than getting to watch a bloodworm hangout through its gill every now and then. But yes, sadly, it will always be missing that one gill.