This is a very unusual breed of goldfish. Curled gill goldfish will not be wrong if I would quote this fish to be born with a rare genetic disorder of out-turned gills. In some cases, this condition is developed in goldfish breeds because of the increase in the ammonia levels of the aquarium water. This usually happens with the goldfish enthusiasts who are new to the delicate varieties of the goldfish breeds.
Curled gill goldfish info
Let us look into details of this unusual ornamental goldfish of all the other goldfish breeds.The curled gill goldfish is not a separate goldfish breed.The curled gill goldfish does not have a separate genetic pool to produce offspring with similar characteristics. This trait of the out-turned gill is limited to individuals and is nontransferable to the fry from the parents having the curled gill condition.
This is the main underlying reason why many goldfish breeds experts reject the existence of this curled gill goldfish as a separate breed.
Ornamental goldfish breeds; curled gill goldfish history
The curled gill goldfish have always made an appearance every now and then right from the start of the development stage of ornamental goldfish breeds. As I will explain the conditions resulting in the development of curled gill conditions in other sections of this post you will be more familiar with the conditions associated with this fish.
There is also an ongoing controversy on the recognition of this breed. I have explained this in this post later. The curled gill goldfish have occurred in almost all the ornamental goldfish breeds. The lack of official recognition has also hampered the exact determination of the period of development.
Ornamental goldfish breeds; curled gill goldfish colors and scales
As I have stated multiple times in different parts of this post that the curled gill goldfish is not a recognized specific breed of ornamental goldfish breeds, thus curled gills goldfish is available in all colors and patterns and in all types of scales.
The ryukin goldfish and the fantail goldfish of the ornamental goldfish breeds seem to be most affected by the condition of the curled gills.
Ryukin goldfish: GoldFishes and Their Breeds Part 4
Fantail goldfish: Gold Fishes and Their Breeds Part 2
Curled gill goldfish care
The condition of the gills that gives this goldfish breeds the name curled gill goldfish is also the result of unhygienic water conditions to which goldfish breeds are exposed by inexperienced goldfish breeds hobbyists. This condition is the result of the increased percentage of ammonia in the water. The ammonia is released into the aquarium water through the bodily discharge of the fish. These bodily discharges include fesses and urine of the goldfish breeds housing in the aquarium. They decaying organic matter also release the ammonia into the aquarium water. This ammonia doesn’t escape from water and the percentage of ammonia keeps on increasing, inside the aquarium. Each fish individually and each of the goldfish breeds have different tolerance levels to toxins. Some fishes are able to tolerate toxicity much better than others.
Higher ammonia levels first effect the breathing mechanism of fish. Fishes actually breathe from their gills. They take water into their mouth and then expels out the water from the opening of the gills. The gills then filter out the oxygen dissolved in the water and supply it to the circulation system.
When the fish comes in contact with dirty water having a high concentration of ammonia in it then the respiratory system of the fish is damaged. The first side effect of high ammonia concentration in aquarium water is displayed on the gills of the fish.
In case of ornamental goldfish breeds, this effect is exaggerated because of the lower tolerance and fragile immunity of goldfish breeds. The result is curled gill disease. The effects that are visible includes the swelling on the gills, outward turning of gills, breathing difficulty, lower immunity, lower response to medication and many other symptoms. This effect is more visible in the metallic scale goldfish breeds because of the brittleness scales. This brittleness of scales forces the gills to turn outwards additional to the swelling that is forcing the flesh covered by the gills outwards the body periphery.
Regular water changes are recommended to avoid this condition. The ph value of the water should be checked regularly. This curled gill condition, it is generated because of the harmful water condition then it will be cured slowly when placed in freshwater.
Curled gill goldfish physical features
Curled gill goldfish, as stated earlier is not a specific breed of ornamental goldfish breeds. This condition of curled gills may occur in any breed of the ornamental goldfish breeds. But by the reported incidents of this breed, the fantail goldfish and the ryukin goldfish seems to have been affected most.
In the case of genetic development of the curled gill goldfish which is viewed as a breed of ornamental goldfish breeds group, the opinions are divided. Some breeders and hobbyists have the opinion to develop this breed to form a genetic pool and then get it recognized as a breed. Another school of thinking exists and they believe that this condition is a curse to the poor fish belonging to any of the ornamental goldfish breeds. They advocate getting any fish suffering from this condition separated and let live its life in peace separated from any possibility to breed and transfer this condition to any of its offspring.
Personally, I support the second school of thinking. Just think if you are forced to live with swollen lungs and each breath you draw is a hustle with no reassurance of next breath coming in relief and a surety of the pain to rise with every breath you draw. It would be horrible, isn’t it?
Please don’t promote this breed to be bred naturally. Even ornamental goldfish breeds are treated as object but they are living objects. Please don’t promote pain just for the sake of the pride of owning an unusual member of ornamental goldfish breeds.
Even if you somehow end up owning this breed or accidentally exposing your fish to the toxic conditions resulting in the curled gill conditions please take extra care of your fish.
Provide them fresh slowly flowing water with lots of aeration. Always emphasize the cleanliness of the aquarium housing such fish.
Also, pour recommended amount of the Rid-All general aid medicine in the aquarium water. This medicine the Rid-All general aid medicine will help to lower down the swelling on the gills of the fish belonging to any of the goldfish breeds. This medicine the Rid-All general aid medicine will increase the life energy of the fish. Let us hope this first aid will help you if your fish has developed the curled gill condition as a result of unhygienic conditions inside the aquarium. If this does not help sooth your fish and the infection persists you really need to consult the veterinary help near you.
Curled gill goldfish life expectancy
Being one of the most difficult breeds to rear amongst the ornamental goldfish breeds one cannot just simply expect the curled gills goldfish the member of the family of the ornamental goldfish breeds to thrive in normal household aquarium conditions. They need extra care and time to lead a long and healthy life. That is why only experienced and advance goldfish breeds hobbyists are successful in rearing this breed. I believe that they can live fairly long for ten plus years under the strict vigilance of an advance goldfish breeds hobbyist.
As I have stated in my earlier works, a well maintained and large aquarium will be a major factor in determining the life expectancy of your curled gill goldfish. The aquarium should not be overcrowded and each fish should have at least 35 liters of water available to each fish. They will do best in large outdoor goldfish ponds fitted with aeration devices and filtration. One more thing, even after avoiding you somehow end up with a fish affected by the curled gill condition try to provide some organic filtration also.
I have not found any recorded or documented evidence to support any possibility of the curled gill goldfish of any of the ornamental goldfish breeds, to have lived for more than ten years. This time limit seems impossible for the goldfish breeds that are not genetically affected by this condition. Even in the genetically affected specimen of any of the ornamental goldfish breeds, such a long life seems a remote possibility. This is a definitive possibility owing to the fact that the flesh of the gill is exposed to the underlying aquarium conditions. If unfavorable conditions are not checked, the exposed flesh will be first to get affected. The infections of an open wound will worsen if not treated with caution. To even escalate things this open section of flesh in curled gill goldfish of any goldfish breeds is the organ responsible for the respiration. I believe I have pointed out the risks quite extensively. Rest in up to the almighty.
Here I would like to conclude this post which is the 12th part of Goldfishes Breeds Article Series.
Enjoy rearing your curled gill goldfish.
Thanks for your valuable time you took out of your busy schedule to go through my work. You might also be interested in rare goldfish breeds. There are some of our posts on such breeds. Please click on the links below.
Lionchu goldfish: Goldfish Breeds Part 9
Egg fish goldfish: Goldfish Breeds Part 10
Shukin goldfish or Ornamental goldfish breeds
More breeds of fancy goldfish are coming in near future so stay tuned.
