My fish have red gills after moving tanks. Is it ammonia poisoning?

Question

I just got home from PetSmart to have my water tested and they said it was safe to transfer my fish into my new 29g with better filtration. But when I put them in there, I noticed they have red/lilac gills, signs of ammonia poisoning, and I'm thinking it's from my old 10g with poor filtration, but how can I be sure? Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Female | unspayed | 11 months old | 0.6 lbs

Emi Knafo, DVM, DACZM · Accepted Answer

Hi, You will need to test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates now that there are fish in the new tank. If the biofilter is not well established in the new tank, then the abrupt presence of fish will cause an ammonia spike. You should do a partial water change, ensure proper aeration of the water. There are products you can get to boost the biofilter if this is in fact the issue. You should also consider the number of fish for the just meet of gallons in the tank as overcrowding may be a contributing factor. If you need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to request a consult. Good luck!

My fish have red gills after moving tanks. Is it ammonia poisoning?

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