Small Gill Plates!?

[squabeggs]

One of my goldie-almost-yearlings has small gill plates that dont completely cover the gills. I'd say maybe a 1/4 of the outer edge is exposed. This is the only one of my 21 babies that shows any malformation.

Is this something that will be a major problem for the fish? Is it painful? Should I cull this one or give it away as a feeder? (not really high on my list...I don't want any of them to be food :headshake2

It doesn't seem to be irritated or in distress, so hopefully someone with knowledge can let me know if I'm being cruel.

I'll try to get some pics. Plus I have to thin the herd, so maybe I can ship a few off to good homes.

 

[Lupin]

It's a genetic deformity. Your fish will be fine though, just not aesthetically pleasing for some people but it doesn't matter.

 

[SubRosa]

Don't let it breed.

 

[squabeggs]

Don't let it breed.

They are a long way from breeding....plus I am out of room so any and all eggs get eaten, filtered and dumped....so many eggs. Between my 2 mature females, I get at least one egg-blast a month (although it appears to have slowed since the temps have dropped for winter)