i need advice, please

3 of my 65 fry are missing the protective metallic covering on their gills only on one side. i noticed this 2 days ago. before that i had them all in a 20 gal tank with only 12 gal in it for 6 inches of depth.
when i saw that they were missing their gill plates, they were very red and sticking straight out. an ammonia test showed .50 so i added alot of water to bring the level up to a 20 gal tank, and put in a filter from momma fish's tank. the ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 and everyone looks good. the fry with the missing gill plates are swimming and eating fine and they don't seem to be acting any differently from the other fry. the redness and the sticking out has subsided. but will those outer gill plates grow back in? any information or leads will be greatly appreciated. thank you!!

Hi Frymomma

Fish can live perfectly well without gill plates (some are born without them), as long as the water parameters are kept perfect so as to minimise the risk of stress and disease, and no sharp objects are kept in the tank which could injure the delicate gills.

It is possible however that your fry may grow the gill plates in time.

wow, thanks emmahj!

i had no idea they'd be okay! i didn't want to lose any of them...sounds like i won't (at least not from that) i'm feeling much calmer now

thanks for the quick response!!