Something in gills?

[JDJP]

Have had this captive breed dottyback over a year. Hes got this tan colored thing bulging from his gills. Anyone have a guess?

 

[Big G]

Is it cottony, fibrous or cauliflower like in texture? If so, probably lymphocystis. Not uncommon for fish to present them in this area on a fish.

 

[JDJP]

Is it cottony, fibrous or cauliflower like in texture? If so, probably lymphocystis. Not uncommon for fish to present them in this area on a fish.

Looks smooth to me.

 

[Big G]

Smooth like a small balloon?

 

[JDJP]

Smooth like a small balloon?

Maybe, it's hard to get a good look at it.

 

[Big G]

Maybe, it's hard to get a good look at it.

Fast growing, Smooth and bulbous could be a cyst. Tumors can also grow fast but usually are kinda lumpy in texture.
Most cysts can be reabsorbed by the body. But if they pop, they can release thousands of spores into the water.

 

[JDJP]

Fast growing, Smooth and bulbous could be a cyst. Tumors can also grow fast but usually are kinda lumpy in texture.
Most cysts can be reabsorbed by the body. But if they pop, they can release thousands of spores into the water.

Spores from a cyst? What would they do?

 

[Big G]

Spores from a cyst? What would they do?

The fear that breeders and others with costly fish have is that the spores "could" be spread to the other fish in the same water. Because of those fears, they will isolate the fish until the cyst clears.