Tumorous Growth

[rarefish]

Let me try this again- my computer ate my last post. I left my breeding pair of golden severums with my family over the weekend while I was away. Smeagle is the male and Precious is the female. Before I start, I will say that Precious is not showing any symptoms and is acting normal. Today while examining Smeagle I found a tumorous growth under his left eye. It is about the size of a pea. It wasn't there friday. It is in a way transparent and seems to be filled with tiny "crystals." There is a clear film over the top that looks like a contact-lense that is peeling off. Smeagle is also excreting way too much slime coat- it is trailing off of him. I removed the carbon and medicated the tank with MelaFix, PimaFix, API Freshwater Salt, API General Cure Anti-Parasite, and Stress Coat. I am no amateur to the fish world, but I have never experienced anything like this before. Here are some pictures:

I really need some help. I can't even imagine losing Smeagle or Precious. Thanks ahead!

rarefish

P.S. Sorry the pictures aren't of the best quality! Oh, and the bagginess around his eyes seems to be genetic- he has always had it, and pop-eye meds don't help.

 

[WILDER]

Over production of slime coat is usually when they are protecting themselves from something.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Can we take a look at your water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, and ph.
If it is a tumour you can not cure them with meds.
The only thing to do now is try a bacterial med on the fish, but in issolation if you can.
Increase aeration in the tank as meds reduce 02 in the water.
What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.

 

[rarefish]

It is about twice the size from when I took the pictures yesterday. It is covering part of his eye. He hasn't been flicking or rubbing at all. I'll post water stats in a little while. So I should try to isolate him? I'm worried about how he would react being away from his mate, i.e. depression, etc. I'll watch to see what his feces look like. Should I bring a vet in? If it gets any bigger I don't know what I'll do.

 

[rarefish]

Water Stats:

Nitrate: 40ppm
Nitrite: 0.5ppm
Hardness: 150ppm
Alkalinity: 80ppm
pH: 7.2

The tumor is even larger. The top layer of "skin" is peeling off of the tumor. I'm going to really inspect him tonight and will do a water change because of the Nitrate.

 

[WILDER]

Do you have ammonia reading.
You have a nitrite reading so that could explain the excessive slime coat.
Water change.
How many gallons is the tank.
How may fish and which type.
How often you you maintain the tank.
If you can issolate the fish I would try an antibiotic like tetracycline.
Is there any puss coming out of the lump.

 

[rarefish]

Do you have ammonia reading.
You have a nitrite reading so that could explain the excessive slime coat.
Water change.
How many gallons is the tank.
How may fish and which type.
How often you you maintain the tank.
If you can issolate the fish I would try an antibiotic like tetracycline.
Is there any puss coming out of the lump. -Wilder

I ran out of ammonia tests and due to a financial crunch at the moment am not able to purchase one. The tank is 29US gallons. I know that is a little small, but in December they will be getting a 90US gallon tank. The only fish in the tank are two severums (my breeder pair). I maintain the tank weekly, and daily I give it a good check. I do a water change about every two weeks. There is no puss that I can see. Yesterday I took Smeagle (the severum with the lump) out and inspected him by hand. The "tumor" is very fleshy and soft. It split open while I wasn't home yesterday. Upon inspection of the lump I found that it had "burst" out of the bag around his left eye. It seems to be wrapped around the base of the eye. I'll try to include some pictures. I'm currently trying to find an aquatic vet in Arkansas. Thanks!

P.S. It is no longer deep red in spots like the picture, but instead a light pink.

 

[rarefish]

Anyone ?

 

[rarefish]

Some good news: after not eating for a few days, Smeagle is finally attempting to eat! He wouldn't eat his favorite Tetra Cichlid Sticks, Krill, or Plankton, so I brought the Tetra Tropical Crisps out and he's trying to eat ! Precious is eating too. I'm hoping that everything is on the mend.