Help with Sailfin Tang Bump

[UConnMel]

My dad has had his sailfin for about 4 years starting from a 2" juv. Always been healthy. Woke up this morning to a huge 1" tumor sticking out of his left side. No new fish additions in the last the last 6 months. Acting and eating fine. Any thoughts??

 

[melypr1985]

Any white stringy poop coming out of him?

 

[UConnMel]

Any white stringy poop coming out of him?

Nope, not that we've seen.

 

[CastAway]

Tagging along.

 

[ruppertb]

Very Sad we love our sailfin. Hope he does ok and you can figure out what is wrong with him.

 

[4FordFamily]

Wow that's really pronounced -- have you seen him poop?

 

[UConnMel]

Wow that's really pronounced -- have you seen him poop?

Only showed up this morning so haven't seen him poop yet - watching closely though...

 

[4FordFamily]

Only showed up this morning so haven't seen him poop yet - watching closely though...

Makes me wonder if it's an epic blockage. Try feeding a peeled pea to him.

 

[UConnMel]

Makes me wonder if it's an epic blockage. Try feeding a peeled pea to him.

Never heard of that... is that the fish form of a laxative?

 

[4FordFamily]

Never heard of that... is that the fish form of a laxative?

In essence, yes that's the idea

 

[UConnMel]

In essence, yes that's the idea

Ok. We'll try this. Anyone else have success with it? Or know how long till it takes effect?

 

[Humblefish]

Ok. We'll try this. Anyone else have success with it? Or know how long till it takes effect?

If it just simple constipation, the fiber contained in the peas will help "push things out".

However, that bump looks a little high up to be in the stomach area, and I doubt a tumor could form so quickly.

So, my best guess is it's actually being caused by an internal infection and food soaked in Kanaplex would be the best way to go: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

Kanaplex has the added advantage of causing diarrhea as a side effect. Just in case I'm wrong about this being constipation.

Be sure to also use Seachem Focus when food soaking Kanaplex, as that will bind the medication to the food and prevent it from leaching out.

 

[UConnMel]

If it just simple constipation, the fiber contained in the peas will help "push things out".

However, that bump looks a little high up to be in the stomach area, and I doubt a tumor could form so quickly.

So, my best guess is it's actually being caused by an internal infection and food soaked in Kanaplex would be the best way to go: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/

Kanaplex has the added advantage of causing diarrhea as a side effect. Just in case I'm wrong about this being constipation.

Be sure to also use Seachem Focus when food soaking Kanaplex, as that will bind the medication to the food and prevent it from leaching out.

Thanks for the advice! Is this something I could find at a local pet store or maybe LFS? Or is it typically something you have to order online? Never had to purchase any antibiotics and an internal infection seems rather time sensitive...

 

[ksfulk]

Seachem Kanaplex and Focus are typically available at LFS - mine are hit and miss though, as they only stock one at a time before reordering. Its readily available online as well.

 

[UConnMel]

Seachem Kanaplex and Focus are typically available at LFS - mine are hit and miss though, as they only stock one at a time before reordering. Its readily available online as well.

Thanks. If this an infection, does anyone have an idea how long before it goes bad?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Thanks. If this an infection, does anyone have an idea how long before it goes bad?

Often only hours...sometimes days...sometimes never. You just don't know. Personally, I'd want to start as soon as possible. Today, if you can find it locally.

 

[Humblefish]

Often only hours...sometimes days...sometimes never. You just don't know. Personally, I'd want to start as soon as possible. Today, if you can find it locally.

+1 So many different strains of harmful bacteria can cause infection, both gram positive & gram negative. Some are relatively mild, some can kill within a day or two.

 

[UConnMel]

Little update on this guy. My dad is never one to jump to medicate so he's only been doing the peas every other day or so. Sailfin is still kicking, acting and eating fine and the bump seems to be going down, albeit slowly. Keeping up hope for a full recovery

 

[ReefTalk]

Yes to me it looks like an internal parasite, I'm afraid there's nothing much you can do unless it's something else