Fancy goldfish (fantail) has a lump on his side. He is very vigorous, swimming ok, and eating well.?

Question

The lump appeared in one day, it looked like a piece of gravel just under the skin. While he was swimming it burst open and some stringy white stuff came out. It looked like fatty tissue, the lump has decreased in size. It does not look like carp pox, or a tumor, or hole in the side disease. Has anyone ever encountered this? Could it be a reaction to the eco-start nitryfying bacteria I have been conditioning the water with? I just did a 30% water change two days before the lump appeared. The tank is cycled & stable with a top filter, with a biowheel. I add about a capful of nitryfying bacterial culture at each water change along with the de-clorinator. It is a 20 gal tank shared with one other fantail. Should I quarrantine lumpy?

The reason I add the bacterial culture is because every 2 weeks I siphon, clean or change the filter cartridge(in tank water) and our tap water has a small ammount of nitrates in it. I want the water fully conditioned to minimize the stress on the fish. Ph is within range, water quality is good, ( which is why i am stumped). I have been to both of the sites mentioned, as well as several other fish disease sites, and information forums, just thought i would try my luck here. Lumpy is doing great today, i gave him some peas & he had a good poo. Could constipation be the cause of his lump?

Answer 1

Not sure of the problem, but I will comment that you don't need the nitrifying bacteria product. Once the tank is well cycled, and you are doing your regular water changes, no further bacteria is needed. If you are concerned about the bacteria, then when you vacuum the gravel during the water change, only do half, then half the next time. If the bio-wheel gets clogged, rinse it out in some tank water in a separate container, and put it back in the filter.

Also, how is your pH? Within range?

I would probably not quarantine him, as if it is a disease the other has already been exposed. I'd keep an eye on both and see. I'd also add a small portion of salt to the water - rock salt or kosher salt, not table salt, as that can help certain problems in goldfish.

You may want to go to www.fishforums.com (message board) and see if anyone else has suggestions.

Answer 2

I had a goldfish that developed the same thing. He lived for a year or so and then died. the lump got bigger. I'm assuming it was cancer of some sort. my other fish never developed any problems, however. I tried all sorts of medicines and remedies to add to the water, but lost the fish any way. I don't know about it being a reaction because the tank I had it in I never did add stuff to the water, other than pH balancer.

Answer 3

I wouldn't. Guppies need warm water to thrive 78-80F and goldfish do better in colder water 65-75F. They different dietary requirements. The golfish will eventually get large enough to eat the guppies. Goldfish produce high amounts of ammonia and the guppies will have a hard time with that.

Answer 4

I don't know for sure what is wrong with your fish. But because I don't know I want to find out more. here is a website with diseases and symptoms: http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/clinicalsigns.htm
But this sounded more to your situation. could it maybe a bacterial infection: http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/bacterial.htm check it out.

Answer 5

I have never had this happen to me but I have read about it a few times on http://kokosgoldfish.com/
Check out their forum, maybe you can find some help with it

Answer 6

May be a parasite. ask reputable pet store for antibacterial remedy and/or methylene blue.

Answer 7

I'm not like deuce bigelow when it comes to knowing about fish, but I am like him in the manwhoring dept.! haha.

Answer 8

ewwww. stringy white stuff huh?
a zit?

yeah, definate quarentine situation.