Please help! Lumps on face/jaw of female crosshatch triggerfish.

Stylo328 · Feb 12, 2017

Over the last several weeks I have noticed a pair of bumps on the lower front and side jaw of my female crosshatch trigger. The lump on her lower front jaw, just below her mouth, was the first to appear and was expelling a bit of white substance last week (think pimple) but the sore has since closed. The lump on her left side has seemed to grow over the past week. She is eating well and swimming as usual. I have tried researching to no avail. These are the first triggers I've kept and I am freaking out a bit.

Tank is a 10' long 405-gallon with plenty of open swimming space.

I tried my best to capture some photos. Please don't mind the particulate in the water, I was just pulling some chaeto from the fuge and things got stirred up a bit.

Thanks in advance.

melypr1985 · Feb 12, 2017

My first thought is that it was biting something that stings or it got cut. There is swelling, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong otherwise (aside from the white stuff it was spewing.. yuk). At this point, you could feed vitamins in the food to boost the immune system and dose Epsom salt (reef safe option) to reduce the swelling. Then... Wait and watch.

Humblefish · Feb 12, 2017

melypr1985 said:
My first thought is that it was biting something that stings or it got cut. There is swelling, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong otherwise (aside from the white stuff it was spewing.. yuk). At this point, you could feed vitamins in the food to boost the immune system and dose Epsom salt (reef safe option) to reduce the swelling. Then... Wait and watch.

+1 I don't see anything serious enough to warrant action (yet). I would try soaking his food with Selcon, Zoecon, Vita-chem, etc.

Reefahholic · Feb 12, 2017

I don't see much either. That's a fat healthy fish. Just wait and if something bad comes up, then you can treat.

Nice 10 footer btw!

Stylo328 · Feb 14, 2017

Thank you all very much. I'm afraid that the pictures don't quite demonstrate how significant those two lumps are, but I will try to remain optimistic based on your advice.

As far as nutrition is concerned they are both eating a mix of Rogers reef food, both with and without algae, as well as PE Misys, dr. G's krill, fresh peeled shrimp from the local grocery store and hikari enriched brine shrimp.

I feed a fairly large quantity to the tank at least once, but often twice a day. I had been feeding the tank the mixture listed above, prepared with metroplex and focus. Could that be contributing to the bumps?

Thanks again.

Humblefish · Feb 14, 2017

Stylo328 said:
I feed a fairly large quantity to the tank at least once, but often twice a day. I had been feeding the tank the mixture listed above, prepared with metroplex and focus. Could that be contributing to the bumps?

Unlikely. It could be Lympho nodules inside his mouth: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa181

Or a tumor is also a possibility.

Stylo328 · Mar 18, 2017

Good morning. I have continued to feed a mix of fresh seafood along with Roger's, pe mysis, and additional prepared foods. Was hoping it was nutritional. But things have gotten worse. Male now has a similar bump forming and females are "erupting" like acne- see pictures. Does not appear to be Inhibiting their feeding and they continue to act pretty normal. I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance for any advice.