Oh my... I feel a lump!

[ksfulk]

Well, not me, but Ive currently got a large male swallowtail angelfish in QT (along with a few other fish) and while they havent shown any signs of parasites or diseases yet, I started a round of Prazi. Yesterday while I was watching the fish eat, I noted that the male angel seemed to be getting a large "growth" on his face. Tonight, while doing water changes, I noted that the lump looked larger than it had the previous day. I managed to scoop him out and snapped a few pictures of the growth on his face and was wondering if anyone could tell me what it is and if its something that I should treat. Im not sure what if anything this could be, as I havent seen it before.

 

[Humblefish]

Probably a cut or something that has gotten infected. If it doesn't clear soon I would treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic: Kanaplex and/or Furan-2 would be best.

However, I wouldn't mix with Prazipro as that is the one medication I have issues mixing other meds with. Mostly, bacterial blooms occur. I believe the interaction issues are due to the Oxybispropanol in Prazipro.

 

[ksfulk]

Tonight was the end of the first round of Prazi, and I did a 20% water change. Should I change an additional 20% and then run the Kanaplex, or should I run my next Prazi round and just keep an eye on it and treat with the antibiotic once Im done with this next round?

 

[Humblefish]

You've got a week before you need to do the next round of Prazipro. So, I would do another 20% WC, run carbon overnight, and then start in with antibiotics tomorrow. Sometimes these infections can quickly get out of hand, especially if it's being caused by gram negative bacteria.

 

[ksfulk]

Awesome - Thanks again for the advice

 

[ksfulk]

Update! The angels face is looking much better, after four rounds of Kanaplex. However, what I suspect is lymphocytsis has reared its ugly head. These growths started as a single fluffy nodule on the dorsal fin, but has now presented itself in several places on the fish - most notably the front right fin and around the angel's mouth. He was in a pretty crowded QT, but is now a 40B by himself. Is this a matter now of just letting the virus run its course, or is there something I should treat the tank with to help expedite the process. Seems like there's nothing really I can do but wait it out at this point - assuming that this is lympho.

 

[Humblefish]

IME; Lympho usually "flares up" when a fish is stressed, not eating enough or water quality is less than ideal. It is akin to herpes or warts (both viruses) in humans in many ways. I've found that feeding vitamin-enriched foods (Selcon, Zoecon, Vita-chem) and maintaining pristine water conditions seems to expedite the “going away” process.

 

[ksfulk]

He's eating like a pig - thawed PE mysis and spirula enriched brine soaked in selcon plus pellets several times daily, so I would hedge my bets on the facial wound and the overcrowding in the QT. I'll do a couple of big water changes over the next few days as well and see if that cant help expedite things.

 

[buzzword]

Swallow tails seem to almost always get lymphocystis. All Mine had it in QT, started feeding almost solely live black worms 2x day and it was gone in under a week. I beleive like Humblefish said this virus rears it's head when the fish is stressed or diet is deficient. I do not use any vitamins with my foods.
And I would have to say that since starting feeding black worms all of my fish look healthier and with more vibrant coloring. I mix live black worms with Fish Frenzy, mysis and Ova and the fish will attack and eat only the black worms until they are gone and then start to eat the other stuff. I'm big on the diet thing along the lines of Paul B's camp.

 

[4FordFamily]

Lymph is generally no big deal I wouldn't sweat it. Keep water parameters as good as you can and keep it eating quality foods and it should be fine.

 

[Humblefish]

Live blackworms are awesome, especially for new fish or finicky species. But they are hard to find unless you live in a big city or don't mind shelling out $30 for a 1 month supply via online.

 

[buzzword]

Really Humblefish? Hmmm. I get 1/8 lbs from my LFS for $5. Lasts me 3-4 weeks. And I don't live in a big city. I don't recall prices but www.californiablackworms.com.

 

[Humblefish]

Really Humblefish? Hmmm. I get 1/8 lbs from my LFS for $5. Lasts me 3-4 weeks. And I don't live in a big city. I don't recall prices but www.californiablackworms.com.

Maybe it's just where I live. In the entire state of Louisiana, you can only buy them at one LFS.

 

[buzzword]

Bummer.