jawfish pimple?

[bob]

I just picked up a beautiful BSJ and noticed a 'pimple' on his head. I have little experience with fish diseases/sickness etc etc so I just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything of huge concern. Here's a pic of him acclimating:
http://i.imgur.com/1o0H2.jpg

[Xcali1985]

This is what I was able to find. Sorry if any of it was already posted I didn't read the entire thread.


Sometimes fish develop various lumps, bumps, or growths. Here are some possibilities.


Parasites- Various parasites can create lumps on fish. Tiny white bumps may be ick. Go here to see an example of goldfish with ick. Tiny black dots may be black spot. Larger lumps may be the result of larger parasites. For example, after an anchor worm or fish louse falls off, a fish may develop a red infected lump from the irritation. Go here to see an example of a goldfish with a red area resulting from anchor worm.

Bacteria - Infections can cause raised areas on fish. If the entire fish is enlarged, it may have dropsy or a kidney malfunction. Fish tuberculosis sometimes manifests itself as acne-like boils that can rupture the skin of the fish. Go here to see an example of a zebra danio with a rupturing fish tuberculosis tumor. Bettas seem prone to developing localized dropsy-like symptoms where they become enlarged. When those areas are then popped with a pin, fluid comes out. The enlargement normally returns. This is different than cysts below which are much more localized (small in one area and not over most of the fish). Go here to see an example of a betta with tumors that were probably bacterial in nature that were stuck with a pin, and fluid came out.

Cysts - Sometimes fish get fluid-filled lumps. They may result from an injured area or for no particular reason at all. They usually go away on their own and pose little threat to the fish.

Viruses - Some viruses may cause lumpy areas. For example, carp pox can cause raised, black or gray waxy splotches on fish. The virus lymphocystis is also called cauliflower disease because it creates lumps that resemble cauliflower. Lymphocystis lumps are normally white or the color of the fish and tend to spread over the fish with time. Go here to see an example of a goldfish with a strange black lump that might be viral in nature.

Tumors (non-bacterial) - Cancerous tumors are possible but rare. Fatty tumors are more common. Tumors will not go away. They can be removed surgically. Depending on what they are and how big they get, they may or may not be hazardous to the fish.

[Xcali1985]

Last person I knew that had a fish like with a bump like this, didn't last 2 weeks. If you have a QT tank, try using some type of bacterial medication. If its in the Tumor area their isn't anything you can do.

[bob]

Last person I knew that had a fish like with a bump like this, didn't last 2 weeks. If you have a QT tank, try using some type of bacterial medication. If its in the Tumor area their isn't anything you can do.

err that's discouraging. no qt tank yet =(. hoping its just a cyst of some sort

[Xcali1985]

err that's discouraging. no qt tank yet =(. hoping its just a cyst of some sort

Sorry... :(

[TheGreatAukSociety]

I would soak food in metronidazole. Its safe to do in a reef tank.

I used this treatment on an anthias with a bump like that. It made a full recovery.

I also ran ozone to keep water bacterial levels low.

sent using the tk-421 upgrade

[bob]

Sorry... :(
np, appreciate the info!


I would soak food in metronidazole. Its safe to do in a reef tank.

I used this treatment on an anthias with a bump like that. It made a full recovery.

I also ran ozone to keep water bacterial levels low.

oh awesome, thanks mike! does anyone in town carry metronidazole to your knowledge? and what other steps can I take to keep bacterial content low if I don't have a UV sterilizer? Also, is he safe to put with my other fish?

[bob]

and I have a 5 gallon nano laying around I could setup as a QT tank if needed. Do you think this would be better than putting him in the main display and treating him with metronidazole soaked food?

[Xcali1985]

I would soak food in metronidazole. Its safe to do in a reef tank.

I used this treatment on an anthias with a bump like that. It made a full recovery.

I also ran ozone to keep water bacterial levels low.

sent using the tk-421 upgrade

+1 on metronidazole may work. Remember to turn off your skimmer.

If you don't have Ozone, a UV Filter may help.

[bob]

+1 on metronidazole may work. Remember to turn off your skimmer.
would have forgotten that one! thanks



If you don't have Ozone, a UV Filter may help.
eek don't have either of those!

so should I go with a 3gallon QT or the main display tank?

[Xcali1985]

would have forgotten that one! thanks


eek don't have either of those!

so should I go with a 3gallon QT or the main display tank?

3 Gallons is small, I have a 10 Gallon you can have, come over tonight around 9p and pick it up. It is light enough even full that you can sit it on almost anything.

The tank needs a little TLC before you use it, its been in my garage for over a year.

[bob]

3 Gallons is small
It would only be for a week or so just to make sure he's coming along ok. I have no problem putting him in the display, I'm just trying to figure which is the better option.



I have a 10 Gallon you can have, come over tonight around 9p and pick it up. It is light enough even full that you can sit it on almost anything.

The tank needs a little TLC before you use it, its been in my garage for over a year.
I've got the guy in a bag right now so I'd like to put him somewhere asap! o_O Thank you for the offer though I really appreciate it=)

[Xcali1985]

It would only be for a week or so just to make sure he's coming along ok. I have no problem putting him in the display, I'm just trying to figure which is the better option.


I've got the guy in a bag right now so I'd like to put him somewhere asap! o_O Thank you for the offer though I really appreciate it=)

No problem. Cheaper to treat 3 gallons than your DT! That's one of the reasons a lot of people QT. Put him in. I personally don't feed when I add a new addition. So maybe your first treatment in the morning. Also, careful with the meds, 3 gallons is small, even 1 measure or metro is 3x whats recommended. It's a medicine that has a little leeway in the usage, but probably not that much.

[TheGreatAukSociety]

In the case of treating the food you wont be able to overdose.

Tank size wont matter, skimmer will be ok to run. Corals and inverts will not be harmed.

I essentially am feeding it to all new fish these days.

Dennis sells it. Dissolve as many tablets as possible in 10 ml warm RO water. Use this solution to soak food. Feed to fish.

sent using the tk-421 upgrade

[bob]

In the case of treating the food you wont be able to overdose.

Tank size wont matter, skimmer will be ok to run. Corals and inverts will not be harmed.

I essentially am feeding it to all new fish these days.

Dennis sells it. Dissolve as many tablets as possible in 10 ml warm RO water. Use this solution to soak food. Feed to fish.

sent using the tk-421 upgrade
ah I see. Would you QT the fish or just stick him in the main tank if you were me Mike?

[TheGreatAukSociety]

I qt everything. But this is not a contagious condition.

sent using the tk-421 upgrade

[bob]

starting treating the guy and he's eating well. I'll let you know what happens! thanks for the help.

[bob]

I used this treatment on an anthias with a bump like that. It made a full recovery.

how long did you treat it for? Im through my 7th or so pill and I think he's starting to hate the taste of the food - and I see no change to the bump.

[Xcali1985]

Try adding garlic to the soak. It's an immune booster. I noticed a few fuzzy ich looking spots on one of my fish a couple days ago. I started a metro food soak with garlic and it does not seem to be spreading to any of the other fish. I would say im now on day 4 or 5 and starting to see regression in the spots. I will continue my treatment for at least 1 month, to make sure that it is all gone.

[TheGreatAukSociety]

4 weeks,

No change is OK. It may not go away, we don't really know 100% the cause of the abnormality, it could be totally inert and be there for the life of the fish. You're just doing preventative medicine.

[bob]

Well it's been a few weeks without medication (he hates the taste) and it hasn't gotten worse or better. The fish himself has gotten a lot more outgoing though which makes me feel as though it's inert and nothing to worry about. Thanks for all the advice guys!
http://i.imgur.com/ct1UTl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7DQVel.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VkmqBl.jpg