Florida Gar has strange pink growths on it - Please help.

[Mystus Redtail]

Hello,

In the pictures is my 2 year old Florida gar, approx. 15" long. Today I noticed pink growths on 5 locations across his body. Does anyone know what these could be? If so, how can they be treated? Most days I do not turn on the lights on top of this tank, so I'm not sure how long they've been there, my best guess would be that they've appeared within the last two weeks.

Most of them have appeared near the base of fins with the exception of the round one on his gill plate.


Thank you in advance.

 

[Polypterus]

Do not treat with anything except for maybe a little salt to calm the fish down and de-stress it some.

This is a viral condition and cannot be cured it will just eventually go away. Rarely in gars does this last for long and rarely does it get much worse than pictured.

Should it get worse then you need to take different measures to control it. Keep an update on it and if needed I can walk you through further treatment steps.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

i highly suggest following his^ advice.

 

[E_americanus]

lymphocystis, viral like richard said. just keep water extra clean, add some salt, and increase temp to about 82F. also keep it apart from any fishes that may be nipping at it as it is transimissable from fish to fish.

looks bad aesthetically, but doesn't do too any permanent damage in majority of cases. keep us posted...should be clear in a week or two--
--solomon

 

[Mystus Redtail]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll up the water changes. The spots on his dorsal fin seem to have decreased in size a bit in the last couple of days.

 

[DCOWBOYS]

Good luck with your fish!!!

 

[vaipulu]

good luck