Does Anyone Have Any Idea Of What This Is?

[sara213]

This is a male angle fish that i have had for about a year. However he seems to have this strange growth on his lips. I thought orginally that it was a wound from a previous female angle fish that attacked him but it hasn't gone away and that was at least 6 months ago. I have since gotten rid of the other female angle fish...

 

[Tolak]

Fibroma, not real common but it does occur on angels. Thought to be a virus, though not very contagious at all from my experiences. It doesn't bother them until it gets in the way of eating, at that point the only solution is a quick minor surgical procedure with a sharp razor blade or exacto knife.

Needless to say, it isn't for the squeamish. A wet towel to hold, don't keep the fish out of the water for more than about 1 minute. A hospital tank with daily water changes for a week is a good idea after doing this.

 

[sara213]

Fibroma, not real common but it does occur on angels. Thought to be a virus, though not very contagious at all from my experiences. It doesn't bother them until it gets in the way of eating, at that point the only solution is a quick minor surgical procedure with a sharp razor blade or exacto knife.

Needless to say, it isn't for the squeamish. A wet towel to hold, don't keep the fish out of the water for more than about 1 minute. A hospital tank with daily water changes for a week is a good idea after doing this.

I take you have done the surgery before.....and does it reappear afer you do the procedure?

as far as I can tell he is able to eat;

 

[Tolak]

Yes, done it twice before. I haven't seen it come back, but that doesn't mean that it will not. Make sure to use a really sharp blade, as the fibroma is almost a rubbery consistency, more difficult to cut than you would think. I used a brand new single edged razor blade, it took a bit more pressure than I thought it would.