Internal Parasite, Perhaps?

[sreiman]

Tank size: 55 G
tank temp: 78
LFS tested water-normal

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Bloodfin tetra has a growth near his tail-its dark in color and approx 3 mm across. The fish is losing coloration. Fish is gasping for air. His back is arching. He is eating but swimming with his head up towards the surface, quick flicks of his tail-hes not looking too graceful and is clearly in distress. He swims with 5 other BFT's, none of whom appear to be in distress nor do any of them have the same dark spot.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 33% water changes every 2/3 weeks

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: None

Tank inhabitants: 1 Pleco, 2 angels, 6 bloodfin tetras, 2 rainbow gourami, 2 silver dollars

Any advice??

 

[WILDER]

I would invest in some liquid test kits of your own so you know water stats.
Is there plenty of aeration in the tank.
Take a sample of your water to the lfs and ask them to write the readings down for you.

What colour is the growth on the tail. does it look smooth, look like a cauliflower, or a cluster of berries. does it look hard of soft like filled with fluid.
What does the fish gills look like.
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet.
is his anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Does he look thin or bloated.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing or excess mucas.
Is his spine bending.

I would issolate him as he dosn't sound good.

 

[sreiman]

thanks for the response! The little guy is hanging in there-but its pretty sad. hes trying to school with his BFT friends but is clearly struggling.

I would invest in some liquid test kits of your own so you know water stats. good advice-will do.
Is there plenty of aeration in the tank. there is a bubbler that is on full-time-its the air stick thats approx 6 inches long.
Take a sample of your water to the lfs and ask them to write the readings down for you. will do.

What colour is the growth on the tail. does it look smooth, look like a cauliflower, or a cluster of berries. does it look hard of soft like filled with fluid. The growth is actually a black-ish discoloration. Its internal-about the size of a pea-right where the body narrows to the tail.
What does the fish gills look like. Normal
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet. i havent seen that in a while-he doesnt seem to be eating much but ill be on the lookout.
is his anus enlarged or red and inflamed. no
Does he look thin or bloated. bloated
Any signs of flicking and rubbing or excess mucas. he swims with a quick flicker of his tail-but no other strange signs, aside from the fact that he is swimming at a 45 degree angle.
Is his spine bending. yes-his back is arching

I would issolate him as he dosn't sound good.

 

[WILDER]

Have you issolated him.
The pea size growth could be a tumour.
Bent spine can be old age, vitamin definciency, fish tb, internal parasites, injury.
Bloating can also be a sign of fish tb and internal parasites.
Any black patches on him. Does the iris look black.
I think I would put him out of his misery.
He dosn't sound good.