Help! My fish is ill, any ideas on how to treat it?

Allaboutcichlids · May 17, 2020

Hi everyone,

As you can see from the images my cichlid is very ill. It has been like this for a couple of months now, slowly getting worse and worse over time. As you can see, there are lumps (which are very hard to touch!) all along the fins of the fish and its mouth has swollen which has gradually got larger over time, making it more difficult for the fish to eat. I have separated the infected fish from the rest of my other cichlids to avoid spread.

Currently, the fish is acting normal and still eating well (Other than been covered in these lumps). I have only seen this in one other fish in my fish tank, where it has displayed a very small lump on its dorsal fin. Could this be a disease or some sort of tumour? I have treated all my tanks with anti-fungal treatment, but still no results.

Has anyone experienced this before or know what it is or know any treatments that would be effective to save my fish?

Allaboutcichlids · May 19, 2020

Allaboutcichlids said:
Hi everyone,

As you can see from the images my cichlid is very ill. It has been like this for a couple of months now, slowly getting worse and worse over time. As you can see, there are lumps (which are very hard to touch!) all along the fins of the fish and its mouth has swollen which has gradually got larger over time, making it more difficult for the fish to eat. I have separated the infected fish from the rest of my other cichlids to avoid spread.

Currently, the fish is acting normal and still eating well (Other than been covered in these lumps). I have only seen this in one other fish in my fish tank, where it has displayed a very small lump on its dorsal fin. Could this be a disease or some sort of tumour? I have treated all my tanks with anti-fungal treatment, but still no results.

Has anyone experienced this before or know what it is or know any treatments that would be effective to save my fish?

Update: I believe it to be Lymphocystis, common lake Malawi cichlids.
I would appreciate any treatment suggestions?

KevinZ · May 19, 2020

Idk to much about this but I think
@Colin_T can help and some other advanced member

FishGuest5123 · May 19, 2020

I have one with lymphocytis. It comes and goes. Is that lump in the mouth? If so, the fish may need to euthanized. Let’s see what @Colin_T has to say.

Colin_T · May 19, 2020

Any chance of some pictures that are in focus?

It appears the fish has a growth in its mouth. This is most likely a tumour and there is no treatment for it.

The fish's fins appeared to be frayed and that can be caused by a weakened immune system that is probably associated with the growth.

------------------
When the fish no longer eats well, then euthanise it.

Put some gravel on the bottom and a picture on the back of the tank to make it feel more secure. Add some plants, rocks or wood too.

Allaboutcichlids · May 20, 2020

Hi everyone,

Thank-you for all your messages.

@Colin_T I have attached some clearer pictures for you.

I was thinking it could be a possible tumour too as it is the only fish that has been affected like this, although I thought it could be Lymphocystis as my melanochromis auratus shows some lumps on its dorsal fin, see image attached. Yet, it is by no means seriously affected. Do you know if there are any preventions or ways to remove it from the tank should it be Lymphocystis?

The fish has been like that for a couple of months now and seems to be doing fine, especially now it has a whole tank to itself. It is eating well and seems unbothered and unstressed by it. In fact it was quite dominant when in the main tank.

Thanks for the advice, I already have put some rocks in there.

Colin_T · May 20, 2020

It's not Lymphocystis.

Lymphocystis is a stress virus that causes small white or cream cauliflower growths on the edges of the fins and tail. When the stress is removed, the growths drop off and the fish looks normal again.

Allaboutcichlids · May 20, 2020

Colin_T said:
It's not Lymphocystis.

Lymphocystis is a stress virus that causes small white or cream cauliflower growths on the edges of the fins and tail. When the stress is removed, the growths drop off and the fish looks normal again.

Do you have any ideas of what it could be then?

Colin_T · May 20, 2020

it looks like a tumour

Allaboutcichlids · May 20, 2020

Colin_T said:
it looks like a tumour

That's sad, I was hoping there would be something I could do. Thanks for your insight.

For the melanochromis auratus would you say that is also a type of tumour?

Colin_T · May 20, 2020

which part are you referring to on the auratus, the pink bit behind the gill cover?
that looks like a gill tumour. again not much you can do to fix it. just keep the fish comfortable until they have trouble swimming or don't eat well, then euthanise them.

Allaboutcichlids · May 20, 2020

Colin_T said:
which part are you referring to on the auratus, the pink bit behind the gill cover?
that looks like a gill tumour. again not much you can do to fix it. just keep the fish comfortable until they have trouble swimming or don't eat well, then euthanise them.

I was referring to the dorsal fin. There are small hard lumps along the top of it, could this be calcification, disease or is this also tumour related?

The bit behind the gill is just a scrape, possibly from a fight although I see what you mean when looking at the picture.

Colin_T · May 20, 2020

I can't tell what is on the dorsal fin.

Allaboutcichlids · May 20, 2020

These might be better to tell

Colin_T · May 20, 2020

no idea

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