Unknown lump.

Pewmichael · Apr 21, 2016

Hi All.
A white lump has been growing on the stomach of my clown. I thought it could of been an ulcer. He stopped eating for two days then the lump just peeled off his body and hes back to normal.
Could this have been coral stings as he lives in a hammer coral. His pectoral fins were a bit shredded as well.
All good now.

melypr1985 · Apr 21, 2016

a lump? Can you describe this lump with as much detail as possible? Maybe you took a picture of it before it fell off?

Humblefish · Apr 21, 2016

melypr1985 said:
a lump? Can you describe this lump with as much detail as possible? Maybe you took a picture of it before it fell off?

+1 Will need a pic to get an idea of what's going on.

Pewmichael · Apr 22, 2016

melypr1985 said:
a lump? Can you describe this lump with as much detail as possible? Maybe you took a picture of it before it fell off?

Hi,
Because he darts in and out of his coral it was very hard to see, although it was definatlty growing. This same thing happened two months ago but it came out his rear end (ouch). Same thing happened then, didn't eat for a day then he past it out and good as gold.

Pewmichael · Apr 22, 2016

Humblefish said:
+1 Will need a pic to get an idea of what's going on.

I'm sorry but he moves very quickly and a pic wasn't possible.

michellejy · Apr 22, 2016

Can you take a video?

melypr1985 · Apr 22, 2016

Does it look more like this:

OR.... Like this?

Pewmichael · Apr 22, 2016

melypr1985 said:
Does it look more like this:

OR.... Like this?

No to both pic's.
I'll try to get a pic next time it happens.
Sadly I think it will return. He seems to be a very happy little guy.
Thanks for the pic's.

Pewmichael · Apr 30, 2016

Latest update on my clown.
No lumps have reappeared but has left a scar. He hasn't eaten for 4 days now, I don't think he'll make it.

melypr1985 · Apr 30, 2016

Pewmichael said:
Latest update on my clown.
No lumps have reappeared but has left a scar. He hasn't eaten for 4 days now, I don't think he'll make it.

Fish can go a week or more without eating and not be in trouble. What have you tried feeding him since he stopped?

Pewmichael · Apr 30, 2016

As you know they eat pretty much anything, I 've kept feeding him the usual flake, brine shrimp and prawn. These are his favourites I think. I've also tried live brine shrimp, but he's not interested yet. Getting worried now , as you mentioned after a week it could be to late as he may go into starvation mode.

melypr1985 · Apr 30, 2016

Have you tried soaking his food in garlic to help entice him to eat it?

Pewmichael · Apr 30, 2016

I've heard of garlic but don't know how much to use. My local aquarium dealer uses garlic.

melypr1985 · Apr 30, 2016

Pewmichael said:
I've heard of garlic but don't know how much to use. My local aquarium dealer uses garlic.

If you get a garlic supplement from the LFS it will have directions for use. I would just put a "dash" in the food and let it soak for a few minutes before feeding. This isn't something you want to feed on a regular basis. It's not exactly good for them in the long term.... but for the short term it can get them eating again and that is better than starving.

Pewmichael · Apr 30, 2016

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a go.

Humblefish · Apr 30, 2016

Pewmichael said:
I've heard of garlic but don't know how much to use. My local aquarium dealer uses garlic.

Look for garlic juice at your local grocery store and soak a few drops of that into the fish's food. Garlic has no proven medicinal properties (for fish), but it is an effective appetite stimulant.