Please help me!

[Jenny514b]

Please help my tiger barb! There is something in his mouth that is swollen and making it really hard for him to open and close his mouth. My fiance says his tongue is swollen, but do they have tongue's? I dont know if it is some sort of internal parasite or what. Any help is much appreciated.


P.S. It seems to be more on one side, like close to his cheek sorta, instead of centered. ???

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I don't know what it is. However, they do not have tongues.

Is there a chance that it could have swallowed gravel? Is the bump protruding from the outside or does it look as though something on the inside is pushing outwards?

 

[Jenny514b]

No, he definately didnt eat gravel, my gravel is pretty large, and his mouth is kinda small in comparison-I have stone gravel. But the lump isnt outside, its inside. I noticed that he was opening his mouth larger, and more often then usual so when i looked in his mouth i saw the lump. It is the same color as his lips and stuff, but it's definatly not supposed to be like that. He can barely close the side of his mouth that it is on, so his lips have a lop-sided look to them. He is a very sweet barb, he comes to the glass whenever im there, and he follows my finger and lets me "scratch" his back through the glass (i think he feel the vibrations through the glass, and he seems to like it) I would hate to lose him, but he is still eating, although its visibly harder then usual. As soon as my fiance gets home were doing a large water change and I think i might treat him for parasites and see if that helps.

If anybody else would know what this could be I'd love to hear it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The-Wolf]

It could be any number of things
Tumors in the fish may cause a lump to appear anywhere.
Parasites *in* the fish may cause a lump to appear anywhere.
It could have bashed it mouth (like us walking into a door)
Other unknown causes, such as a virus.

I realise that this dosn't really help but it is something to start the process of elimination.

 

[Jenny514b]

Well I dont think it's anything from walking into something, it just doesnt seem likely the way the lump is inside his throat. It also seems to have gotten larger.
But I am going to try a parasite medication, just to see if that helps, if so, i will follow through with it, if not, ill have to try something else.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Quarantine it if you are medicating. That way you isolate a carrier of a disease or parasite(if that is what it is) and you waste less meds that way.

Good luck.

 

[3fsh]

Whatever he's got, I would use some anti-bacterial meds to prevent infection. That way he may be able to fight it off on his own. Melafix works well.

 

[Jenny514b]

Whatever he's got, I would use some anti-bacterial meds to prevent infection. That way he may be able to fight it off on his own. Melafix works well.

Actaully I was treating my tank with melafix when i noticed the lump, but thanks for the advice from everyone, it is much appreciated. I will let everyone know how it turns out.