Cory With Cyst-like Growth On Head By Eye (not In Eye)

[Lynda B]

Tank size: 26 gallons
pH: 7.0
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 10
kH:
gH:
tank temp: 76

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Cory has cyst-like growth by it's right eye, between eye and nose area. This is not in the eye itself and the eye looks fine. It's about the size of a small pea. Light flesh color. Was not there 24 hours ago. Fish is otherwise healthy except it had either lost its barbles after purchase (2 months ago) or husband purchased it without the barbles. He really doesn't know. And I don't know if the lack of barbles is related. My husband ended up picking off the growth. I don't know why. I wouldn't have. Now, there is a crater like hole where the growth was and it appears that there may be another growth started on the other side of the face but, if so, it's in the very early stages. I have removed this cory from the main tank and currently have it in isolation but don't know what to treat it for. Please help!

Edit: My husband now informs me that the growth fell apart in his hands when he picked it off. He says it appeared to be like a softer material, although I could swear on first inspection that it was more like a cyst.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 50% change, weekly

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: only Prime is added to this tank

Tank inhabitants: 6 black skirt tetras, 4 corys, 1 flying fox

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): flying fox was added less than 2 weeks ago

Exposure to chemicals: None

Digital photo (include if possible): Will do ASAP.

 

[Lynda B]

Here are photos:

 

[Lynda B]

Have started using Pimafix and will do so for the next 7 days. His respiration is very rapid, he has no interest in eating and seems to be pretty much in a state of shock. He is in an isolation tank and, so far, everyone else in the original tank seems to be faring well.

Please toss any helpful hints or ideas our way. We'd appreciate it.

 

[ICEEGRL]

melafix is good to use with pimafix to prevent other problems from happening.
I think you really need something stronger though.
I hope someone that knows more than me will tell you something soon.

 

[Lynda B]

I really wish someone would some knowledge of corys would respond, too. Thank you for your help.

I'm almost thinking of switching him over to maracyn and maracyn2. When my female betta had a bacterial infection, that's what I used and it worked beautifully. The little guy survived the night but I really am lost when it comes to corys. And it's surprisingly difficult to find good information on diseases they get.

 

[Lynda B]

a shameless bump......

 

[clinton ><>]

i hope it heals preety fast because it carnt be good

 

[Lynda B]

Thank you, Clinton.

No one can help us with his problem? Anyone? Pretty please? I'll put you on my Christmas Card list.... and I send amazing Christmas Cards.....

 

[Lynda B]

I'm pretty surprised that, with all the expertise in this forum, no one could help us with this situation.

Very sadly, we lost our little guy last night.

 

[Lynda B]

As of right now, this thread has had 71 views. Only 2 people responded. That's pretty sad. I really needed help and feel like no one cared. Only 2 people showed compassion enough to even post. And now, this little guy is dead.

Why have an emergency section? I'm so disappointed.

 

[-germ-]

Sorry Lynda, i noticed this topic earlier but failed to reply, due to the fact there had been a number of replies i (stupidly) assumed it was being dealt with, i would have been more than happy to help though.
If you ever encounter another illness and think i can help (unlikely but i'd try) don't hesitate to PM me.
Emergencies tends to be fairly quiet as many posters don't want to face the responsibility or guilt if they maybe diagnose the wrong thing, or give bad advice.
Sorry for your loss and the fact i didn't help.

 

[Lynda B]

Thanks germ.....

 

[Coryman]

Hi Lynda,

I very rarely visit the Tropical fish Emergencies forum and because of this I obviously never saw your original post. I have seen this problem only a few times, but never on any of my own Corys, what I think is that the fish had a type of parasitic worm, these are very difficult to detect in the early stages of infection and usually by the time that there are signs of a problem it is too late.

There is a treatment here in the UK called Flubenol 15, which can be obtained on line. This treatment is very safe to use and will eradicate parasitic worms as well as other undesirables such as flukes, it is well worth getting some of this treatment as a precaution. It is the only worm treatment designed purely for fish. Many of the treatments available are derived from animal treatments and these I avoid.

Sorry I could not help with the initial problem.

Regards

Ian