Cowfish welts

Julie kerley · Mar 11, 2023

My cowfish has welts on his eyes and top of head. This is part of his head he constantly puts out of the water. All other fish are fine and he acts normal. Thoughts?

vetteguy53081 · Mar 11, 2023

these appear to be little tumors and swimming at the surface can be caused by lack of dissolved oxygen, spike in ammonia or nitrates, disease such as velvet or poor filtration. Any of these can cause these welts but I believe this is bacterial and not unusual for this type of fish.
I suggest quarantining and treating with Seachem Kanaplex or Neoplex.

Julie kerley · Mar 11, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
these appear to be little tumors and swimming at the surface can be caused by lack of dissolved oxygen, spike in ammonia or nitrates, disease such as velvet or poor filtration. Any of these can cause these welts but I believe this is bacterial and not unusual for this type of fish.
I suggest quarantining and treating with Seachem Kanaplex or Neoplex.

Thank you so much. Will the tumors go away?

vetteguy53081 · Mar 11, 2023

Julie kerley said:
Thank you so much. Will the tumors go away?

May or may not but should subside. Just be sure to provide additional oxygen with air stone. This is a touchy fish

Julie kerley · Mar 11, 2023

vetteguy53081 said:
May or may not but should subside. Just be sure to provide additional oxygen with air stone. This is a touchy fish

Thank you so much.

Jay Hemdal · Mar 11, 2023

I wonder if these are rub marks, cowfish get those fairly often - when it pipes at the surface, does it ever make contact with any hard surfaces?
Jay

Julie kerley · Mar 12, 2023

Jay Hemdal said:
I wonder if these are rub marks, cowfish get those fairly often - when it pipes at the surface, does it ever make contact with any hard surfaces?
Jay

It's possible. Part of the top is acrylic. I would think k I would see it more on his horns though