Lumpy Swordtail

[mztattoo]

Hi everyone!

I noticed this morning that one of my swordtails has a lot of lumps around her tail, she kinda looks like the elephant man. The lumps are not discolored and they vary in size. She is acting normal, swimming, eating etc. She resides is a 55 gallon, community tank. The tank has been a family since Feb of this year. Her tank mates are 2 plecos, 2 more swords, 3 beta sharks and 5 cory cats. I use the Tetra 5-in-1 test strips and all the levels are within range. I use Cycle, Waste Control and Easy Balance weekly. I only do evaporation replacement as per the directions on the Easy Balance. I will be due for a partial water change soon. I have no new additions to the tank, fish or decoration. I just tried to take pics, but she has gone into her lighthouse for her moring nap, I will try later. I would love to hear if anyone might know what's going on with my Dory! Thanks guys!

Michele

 

[glolite]

If you can get a pic it would be better. Lumps are difficult to describe and diagnose.

 

[mztattoo]

It's really hard to get a good pic, the lumps are the same color as she is. If you look by her tail, you can kinda make out some lumpy protrusions.





I hope it's not tumors!

 

[glolite]

Can u see anything white coming from the lumps?

 

[mztattoo]

no, they're just knobby

 

[glolite]

Is her spine more curved than usual and how is her appetite? Any missing scales?

 

[mztattoo]

Her spine is straight, she's the first one to the top to eat and her scales are all intact. It's a mystery. I just spoke with my Dad, he's a HUGE swordtail guy, he seems to think it might be tumors. We ruled out parasites and pregnancy.

 

[WILDER]

Do the lumps look like a cluster of berries or a cauliflower.
Any redness to the lump.
Have the lumps just suddenly appeared.

Lymphocystis



Symptoms:

Fish infected with Lymphocystis will present with clusters of whitish, berry-like growths on the skin and fins. These "clusters" may resemble small clutches of eggs or cauliflower (hence, it is sometimes called Cauliflower Disease). They will be clearly visible and may even become extremely large. This disease often affects the fins first.



Cause:

Viral infection. The virus will eventually kill the fish if it is unable to mount a strong enough immune response as the virus rampages through the fish’s tissues, destroying its cells.



Treatment:

As with all viral infections, there is no suitable cure or efficacious treatment; however Quick Cure claims to be helpful. I have also heard of people who trim the fish's fins, followed by several baths in Malachite Green. Fortunately, this disease is uncommon and in some cases, infected fish are able to recover quickly without treatment.

Lymphocystis is highly infectious. When infected cells from the fish’s skin or fins burst the virus is spread throughout the aquarium and can remain contagious for periods of up to two months. Fish not showing symptoms should be removed from the aquarium and placed in quarantine, away from other fish, for at least 60 days. Note, remove uninfected fish, not the other way around because the aquarium has become contaminated. The infected aquarium should be emptied and thoroughly disinfected before returning any fish to it. Do not use soap to clean the aquarium.

 

[mztattoo]

Thanks for all the info.

 

[WILDER]

Does it sound like lymthocystis.

 

[mztattoo]

they are definitely clustered, but they are not white. they are the same color that she is. it's really weird!

 

[WILDER]

Lymthocystis can come in different colour from red, pink, brown, white.
If you are not sure you could always issolate and try a bacterial med.