Foxface with brown lump

Feet4Fish · Oct 25, 2017

Just noticed tonight that my fox face has this elevated circular lesion. His behavior is fine and doesn't appear to be in any distress. Any ideas on this lesion?

Maritimer · Oct 26, 2017

This one's out of my personal league, I'm afraid, but hopefully @melypr1985, @ngoodermuth or @Humblefish will have some insight.

I would think there's a possibility that whatever this is might open a pathway for a bacterial infection to set in, so might look at sourcing some antibiotics ... just in case. (Antibiotics would be dosed in a QT, rather than in the display.)

~Bruce

ngoodermuth · Oct 26, 2017

Any other fish big enough to have inflicted a wound that size? I'm not sure what it might be, maybe a growth/tumor or some sort or an infection. I think I would keep a QT with antibiotics handy, just in case, and start with vitamin-soaking his food. You could also try binding kanaplex or metroplex to food with focus in case it's something internal.

@Humblefish might have more insight...

Feet4Fish · Oct 27, 2017

ngoodermuth said:
Any other fish big enough to have inflicted a wound that size? I'm not sure what it might be, maybe a growth/tumor or some sort or an infection. I think I would keep a QT with antibiotics handy, just in case, and start with vitamin-soaking his food. You could also try binding kanaplex or metroplex to food with focus in case it's something internal.

@Humblefish might have more insight...

He lives with a 10" Niger and a puffer so either of them could. I have a QT and mess at the ready if he deteriorates.

4FordFamily · Oct 27, 2017

Looks like a growth, is it red at all?

Feet4Fish · Oct 27, 2017

4FordFamily said:
Looks like a growth, is it red at all?

Strangely it is not. Just a brownish raised lump about dime size.

ngoodermuth · Oct 27, 2017

Does it look more like an open wound or just a discolored lump?

I have a feeling it's from a scrap with another fish, I think you're right to just watch closely for now and keep feeding a healthy variety of foods and see if it starts to heal on it's own.

4FordFamily · Oct 27, 2017

ngoodermuth said:
Does it look more like an open wound or just a discolored lump?

I have a feeling it's from a scrap with another fish, I think you're right to just watch closely for now and keep feeding a healthy variety of foods and see if it starts to heal on it's own.

Agree. Perhaps an abscess as well

Feet4Fish · Oct 27, 2017

ngoodermuth said:
Does it look more like an open wound or just a discolored lump?

I have a feeling it's from a scrap with another fish, I think you're right to just watch closely for now and keep feeding a healthy variety of foods and see if it starts to heal on it's own.

I was thinking along same lines. He has slowed down at all in eating. Thanks!

Feet4Fish · Nov 2, 2017

just to give an update. The spot has nearly resolved. i do believe it was a bite from the Niger. Good food does wonders!

Reefium · Apr 12, 2019

soffutt said:
just to give an update. The spot has nearly resolved. i do believe it was a bite from the Niger. Good food does wonders!

My foxface is developing the same lump but darker. I do not have anything else that's that large besides tangs and clownfish. What were you feeding it till resolved?