Strange "growths"

[Panther]

I answer most of the fish questions on one of my forums as it is just part of another larger pet forum and there aren't that many people who are any good with fish on it. I was reading through the posts today, however, and I had to admit that This One got me stumped.

Can anyone please help me out here?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Could be a number of things,

this is a pic of a cyst that has become infected with bacteria over time causing it to fill with puss;

http/www.fishpalace.org/unknowncyst_mich...tleyacmepet.jpg

It could also be columnaris though at its worst if left untreated, i recently saw pic of a goldfish that had serious columnaris and was covered in sores, although an infected cyst is more likely.

try and ask him though how big the infected area is though.

 

[mlee0332]

Columnaris is what I would say also!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Thing is though although the guy says it appeared as a fluffy white growth thing, he says the fish has had it for years and im not sure any fish could survive that long with columnaris for years, even months with it may be pushing it.
Goldfish can survive though for years with cysts of various sorts growing on them although i never heard of fluffy ones, they usually start out like this;

(tumor);

http/www.fishpalace.org/tumor_welbornpetcomhospital.jpg

or this(cyst);

http/www.fishpalace.org/unknowngrowth_mikeaofa.jpg

http/www.fishpalace.org/[email protected]

But can later become infected with bacteria...anti internal bacteria meds might help but i suggest he put the fish down in this scenario if it is an infected growth.

 

[Torrean]

That's what I was thinking but there's no way he'll be able to get that guy to put down a fish because of a wound it's had for years. It probably is suffering a great deal though.

 

[black angel]

if its bubbly and uneven and looks like a cauliflower then it could be Lymphocystis. its caused by a virus and causes these tumours to appear.
the fish can swim awkwardly as well.
theres not much in a way of a cure but acriflavin has mixed results and keeping an eye on water quality is really all you can do, sometimes the lumps can go down on their own with really clean water.

goldfish are renowmed for lumps and bumps and can live with tumours for many years. If they get too big and unsightly a vet may be able to remove them but they can grow back again.

 

[WILDER]

I would treat it with a bacteria med, the colour sound like columnaris which are turning into ulcers, i would also do some salt baths on the affected fish.

 

[black angel]

wilder these are lumps not ulcers. tumours can vary in colour but the end result is that they cant be treated and need removal by a vet or the fish needs to be humanely destroyed.

any chance of a pic?