Help Emperor Angel with growth inside mouth

[mk4fan]

Just started to notice this, looks like something is growing in his mouth and he keeps it open. He is still able to eat, tank parameters are okay except nitrate was very high.

Any ideas?

 

[Maritimer]

It might be lymphocystis, which is caused by a virus - usually pretty similar to cold sores in humans. I've normally seen it on fishes' fins and sometimes body, where it generally appears as a small cauliflower-like growth, but it can show up anywhere - and can sometimes begin to interfere with feeding, if it's growing in the fish's mouth. I believe that @melypr1985 and @4FordFamily might have seen oral lymphocystis, and may be able to help here.

As is common with viruses, there isn't a medicine that will treat it - but good water quality and high-quality foods, supplemented with things like Selcon & Zoecon will send it into remission and keep it at bay.

~Bruce

 

[maroun.c]

Is it still able to feed?

 

[aykwm]

Agree with lympho, usually it stays hidden as long as the parameters are in check and nothing is stressing the fish, but once the fish start to stress or parameters go out of order the immune system of the fish weakens and all these infections start to appear. It might also be some sort of bacterial infection.

Maintain good water parameters and reduce the stress and the fish should be able to handle it itself.

Best of luck

 

[mk4fan]

Thanks guys he is still able to eat and it is my fault I did not keep up with water changes and nitrates were 100.....

Will maintain water quality and hope he gets better. Other tankmates are good.

 

[4FordFamily]

Thanks guys he is still able to eat and it is my fault I did not keep up with water changes and nitrates were 100.....

Will maintain water quality and hope he gets better. Other tankmates are good.

Although it certainly didn't help the immune system fight off the virus, the high nitrates were not the "cause".

This could well be lympho, but I've not seen it inside the mouth before. I've seen it inside the gills so it's entirely possible. If it is lympho, you can scrape it out if it becomes life limiting (cannot breathe or eat). Obviously this process isn't very fun and is pretty invasive but if needed for the fish to live it can be done.

 

[maroun.c]

Would think.more of a tumor or an injury getting infectednand causing the growth. Don't think I've ever heard of lympho I'm the mouth

 

[mk4fan]

You think I should try and perform surgery and remove it from his mouth? Or maybe try some melafix?

I removed him he is in his own tank for now so I am able to treat with meds.

 

[Humblefish]

Melafix wouldn't hurt just in case it's something bacterial.

But I think this is likely just Lympho. I've seen it grow in and around the mouth of large angels. Can become a problem if it inhibits feeding.

 

[mk4fan]

Okay good to hear you think its lympho, i actually went a head and performed the removal yesterday morning. So far he looks a lot better and is behaving and eating normal. Hopefully I got it all and it does not grow back.....

 

[mk4fan]

Unfortunately it's growing back, will try melafix and primafix.

 

[Aquatic Ambiance]

How is he

 

[Walter Gonzalez]

Hello, I am going through something similar and was going to remove it from my clown trigger. But I saw you said it grew back. What was the outcome for you?