ID please

[DangerDave]

I’ve had this guy in my tank for about three years. He shoals with 10 other chromis, and is one of the larger ones. We’ve affectionately named him taser face. Shows no sign of any issues (eats well, does the normal chromis bickering, etc). About a year ago this growth started.

Am I right that this is a tumor that I cannot do anything about? Here is a view from front, and of his “good side”.

 

[Big G]

Hard to see with the blue lights. What color is the growth? Is is smooth or bulbous or lumpy in texture?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Taser face! Love it. Did he just wake up one morning and think taser face? Hahahaha

 

[DangerDave]

It’s mostly smooth, with a few lumps. It’s the same blue/green color as the rest of his body...

 

[DangerDave]

Here is another view. No behavioral changes.

 

[Big G]

That's either a cyst or a tumor. Can't do much about a tumor; the cyst can contain thousand of spores. Sometimes the cyst is reabsorbed into the body over time; sometimes it bursts releasing those spores into the tank water.

 

[DangerDave]

If it bursts does it become an issue for the other fish?

 

[Big G]

If it bursts does it become an issue for the other fish?

It could be an issue. Some would isolate the fish in a QT until the growth is resolved.

 

[DangerDave]

Well something happened on Sunday. I guess it burst, it was open on the top, the skin/scales missing. It did not go down in size. Maybe he tore it open in the rocks, maybe it burst. Either way, I haven’t seen him since, and it’s been a couple days. I’m thinking he became crab food

 

[Zionas]

Sorry for your loss!