SORE ON BASS LIP SPREADING - NEED HELP ASAP!

[rlheugel]

This is really becoming a problem, and I need help! My bass has a sore on his lip/lower jaw that is spreading and opening up. I have five bass 3 monos/2 temensis. Only the largest mono has the sore, and the other bass don't show any visible signs of illness. HOWEVER, the temensis have slowed their eating over the last week, and I am concerned that they might be sick as well. What should I do??? The sore has double in size in around 18 hours.

Additionally, I have seen another tank of bass at a local fish store with the very same problem. Each of these lfs bass had the EXACT same lip problem I am referring to. I did not buy fish from this store, but I am assuming this may be a bass problem that someone knows about. I didn't find anything in a forum search however. PLEASE HELP ME! At this rate, the fish isn't going to last long.

Here are some pictures of the lip on the bass; these are the best pictures I could get of the fish. Bad camera...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2410/2205991734_bb4a5aec57_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2111/2205202087_a15157a939_b.jpg

WHAT DO YOU THINK???

[jimmie1974]

I dont see any real concern here, the eating habits maybe, but I dont think the lip will kill it. Could be from plucking minnows up from the bottom very close to gravel, could be acidic water levels, I dont know. But I dont think it's any real concern. I do some searching for you as well. Good luck !!!

[jimmie1974]

I typed in lip sore in the search column and came up with results that your pbass could've been lip locking with another, bumping against the glass, gravel while eating, etc. As long as there eating I wouldn't be too concerned. Be patient and give it a week from what I read.

[Nick660]

As the other fish in there are also showing signs of being unhappy I would be inclined to suspect water quality problems. Poor water quality would also account for a small wound getting progressively worse rather than healing.

You need to test all the water parameters. Water quality can quickly go bad with a heavy bioload. What size is the tank, the fish and the water changes you do?

[Danh]

Either one of those suggestions may be right. I would tend to go with the second.

[rlheugel]

I am sure it isn't a water quality issue. My parameter are 0.0;0.0;.20. I do water changes every three days and am running 3 2217s on a 135. The bass are only 5 inchers and going into a larger tank when needed. Perhaps it is just the eating habits. It was the rapid spreading that had me concerned. Today it looks to be stabilizing, but any other thoughts would be appreciated as well. I read some of the other search results you referred to jimmie, but I guess I kind of thought something else was up. Maybe it is that simple, but with the other fish not eating as much as well, I am a litte concerned.

[jimmie1974]

yeah I dont blame you for being concerned. I have 1 orino out of six that has eaten rosey reds in the last 24hs. 3 1/2"