Lemon Tetra Has A Lump - Or Maybe Dropsy?

[melh1979]

One of our lemon tetras has a lump on its side. I think it looks like some sort of tumour but I just wanted to check if there was anything else you think it could be. It's had the lump for a couple of weeks now but it looks a lot worse the last couple of days and now looks sore and pink under the skin. Some of the scales are sticking out probably due to the lump pressing on the skin and spine looks bent when you look from the top. It seems to be swimming about okay (considering) and still has an appetite. I did think it could be dropsy because of the sticking out scales so have used some eSHa 2000 but the lump is mainly on one side.
It doesn't sound good but I don't like the idea of euthanising the fish so wondered if you had any advice?
Thanks

 

[melh1979]

Sorry bumping this back up as it's so much worse now. Just got home and the poor thing can't keep itself horizontal - is practically vertical. Looks very silvery on it's belly and it does look like it's eyes are popping out. It really looks bad - made my heart break seeing it try to swim to the surface to get food. I guess the only thing is to euthanise it - I'd have to let hubby do that though as I couldn't possibly do it. Is dropsy something the others could catch? I still have a couple of days of the eSHa 2000 treatment so shall I carry on doing this even if the sick fish doesn't make it?

 

[WILDER]

Get him out of the tank bless him he's in a very bad way.
Going to get you a link to take a look at as some of the symtoms are pointing towards fish tb.
Did his spine bend.

http/www.4qd.org/Aqua/disease/tb.html

 

[melh1979]

He's still in the tank - doesn't sound like there's much I can do to help him and I don't want to risk the other fish by leaving him in there - we haven't another tank to put him in to try and treat him though. I don't really fancy having to euthanise him but I guess it's best for him and the remaining fish.
His spine is bent but then the lump we originally saw was on one side so I thought that could have distorted the spine. He's swimming upside down alot and trying to follow his buddies around.

 

[WILDER]

If he's upside down he's dying.

 

[melh1979]

Thanks for your help Wilder - we thought we'd give him the night as neither of us wanted to have to euthanise him but he died over night. I just hope none of the others get this - shall give a dose of the eSHa 2000 (although I have no idea how good this product is it was recommended by the LFS) for the next couple of days and keep a sharp eye on them.

 

[WILDER]

Water changes for a few days.
Nothing to lose by adding the med.
Only antibiotics can cure tb like minocycline, tetracycline and a few others.