Skunk Botia With Wierd Lesion

[Tangerinefizz]

I have been really, really swamped at work and sadly, and embarrassedly, I will admit that my poor 35g has taken a bit of a back seat in the game of life. They get fed, etc. but my usual water changes, tests, etc. have gone down river...

Last night I had a bit of a shock when I did my daily head count and quick eye inspection. My littlest skunk botia had what appeared to be a big bulge sticking out of his side. When he turned around, I noticed a large lesion on the other side, that appeared to have white dots in it. It looks like a big mouth with teeth on his side kinda.

I quickly checked out my other fish, and noticed a similar thing beginning on the larger skunk botia. I cannot get to the fish store today, but can get there first thing tomorrow morning. ( I work two jobs, one full time days, and the other part-time nights to make ends meet)

I feel a bit like a bad fish owner cause I can't even provide you with tank stats etc. cause it's been a while (2 weeks) since I was able to test. The tank is a 35g, 36x 18 by I don't remember and houses: 2 skunk botia, 1 bn pleco, 1 albino red finned shark, 2 guppies, 3 gold tetras and 5 mollies. It is filtered with an aqua clear 500 and water temp is at 82. I have amazon swords, and the only new thing added recently was some java moss. I'm wondering if a parasite has come in on the moss?

Any help would be appreciated so that when I hit the store, I can be quick in saying "I think it might be this, etc." and get out, med them and get back to work asap.

TIA

 

[WILDER]

Need to know water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, do a 30% water change now and gravel vac, then for the next few days water changes, maintain filter, don't want to swing stats back to fast as it will stress and shock the fish.
Can you describe the things on the body abit better, do they look like a clump of berries or a cauliflower, and fluffy fungus growing on the fish.
Or do the teeth things look like a parasite, any flicking and rubbing against objects.
Also would like to know what your tanks smell like, earthy peat smell, or a rotten eggs smell or sulphur smell.

 

[WILDER]

Is it possible to get a pic up of the fish, does it look like spikes are sticking out of the bulge is that what you mean.

 

[Tangerinefizz]

Thanks Wilder.

Water smelled earthy/peaty last night, looks clear. Will get water change and quick vac in before bed, and test stats too.

White things aren't clumped together like cauliflower. The lesion itself looks raw, and the white things are in the middle, probably about 5 of them, but not touching... Then the bulge on the other side looks almost like a hand trying to poke out...

Will try to get a pic but can't promise much in the good picture department. At that time of night my eyes will already be blurry, let alone taking a pic!

I appreciate your responses so far. I am kinda attached to Fric and Frac.

 

[WILDER]

Weird, i'm thinking a parasite does it look one, is it stringy or does it look like nylon with a forked tail.

The five things in the middle can you describe them are they spots, can't picture it sorry.
Have you added any new fish or live plants lately.

Look here under Capriniana

http/edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_FA041