White Tumor mass with spots?

[ihateSpirorbids]

My fish has some kind of white tumor / protrusion. I photographed it closer and it looks like the tumor itself is translucent, but has white spots all over it?

He is eating well and actively forages for food, so I don't think it's an emergency. He swims just fine. What is this? I've never seen anything like it.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

How long have you had the fish?
If relatively new, it could be Lymphocystis, a mild viral disease that will go away on its own.
If the fish is older, and this developed in size over weeks, it could be a tumor.
Finally, microsporidians can produce xenomas that can look like this. Neither of those issues are treatable though.

Jay

 

[ihateSpirorbids]

I got the fish about 2 months ago! Does this mean it's actually a tumor then? Will I need to quarantine the fish for the remainder of its life?

The fish seems relatively young given it's size though, it's about 1-1.5 inches in length.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I got the fish about 2 months ago! Does this mean it's actually a tumor then? Will I need to quarantine the fish for the remainder of its life?

No need to isolate the fish, anything else in the tank has already been exposed. Lymphocystis wont kill the fish. Tumors of course are not contagious. Microsporidians are contagious, but often only for certain species.
Jay

 

[ihateSpirorbids]

How long does my fish have to live if it's got xenomas or a tumor?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

How long does my fish have to live if it's got xenomas or a tumor?

Sorry, there is just no way to tell. As long as there are no secondary symptoms, the fish can live for quite some time - months anyways.
Jay

 

[ihateSpirorbids]

Well that's sad news. Thanks for the help Jay!