Growth on my ATF's lower jaw

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johnnytaboo

johnnytaboo

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 4, 2005
1,123
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68
MD, DC, VA
Well, my dear little Baki seems to have some growth enlarging on his lower jaw. He has something similar when I first purchased him, but it seemed to clear up in time. I attributed it to him being in too small of a tank and rubbing the glass frequently. Now though, I don't believe that to be the case.

I'm posting pics and hoping for some guidance. I was thinking to start adding salt to the water, but I just recently added a Lima shovelnose to the tank, so I want to be sure it's safe for him too.

As always, input is greatly appreciated.

- John

View attachment 936521View attachment 936522View attachment 936523View attachment 936524View attachment 936525View attachment 936526

Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
johnnytaboo said:
Ok, while posting this from my iphone, all of the pictures were linked to another thread I commented on here in the Other C's. I will repost the pics here later, but for now they can be viewed here: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...Tiger-Fish-or-Wolf-fish&p=6564135#post6564135

My bad. How do I send something other than a "crash report" :irked:
Click to expand...

If your issue is in Other Monster Fish or General Aquaria, all you have to do is PM me and I'll take care of you. I fixed the pictures for you. :)

As to Baki,

I've seen that same growth on many different brevis. My hypothesis is that it is the functional equivalent of a callous. BATF have a large lower jaw that protrudes out passed the end of their snout. Because of this, poorly cared for brevis who do the classic ATF spaz tend to really tear up their lower jaw. When it heals, there is a lot of scar tissue that forms to absorb the impact of the fish's crashing into the sides of the tank.

I know the fish didn't develop this under your care. I remember when we were all looking at this guy still in the store. He had the chin rub back then too, but it was really open and raw looking. It looks to have healed up nicely.

I'd wager that you might be able to do a surgery and fix it. I wish I was close enough to examine this fish in person to see if it could be fixed. Max healed like Wolverine after his surgery in which I cut off his fin. I'd imagine if that is all a big callous like I expect that it is, you could cut it off and the jaw would grow back correctly.

Do post pics more often John. Baki is a stunningly beautiful fish! :) How big is he now? He looks a bit bigger than 8"
 
Looks like what serrasalmus piranha owners refer to as a 'chimple'. Usually a hard callous growth from rubbing, but may be from his original injuries. I have heard of people cutting the growth off, I'll try to see if I can find an actual thread with more info.

He is looking really good on that side profile shot.
 
Ahhh Rob, you're my rock. Thanks for fixing that for me. What would the OC, or for that matter MFK, do without you. I do wish you could take a look at him in person too. You've become the Dr. Quinn of Tiger Fish, and I would be hesitant to attempt a surgery without someone with actual experience.

I do hope this callused growth is a lingering effect of his initial tank, but I have to admit that it looks more raw than I would like. If he is rubbing, I can't think of what would be stressing him out. He seems like a happy, though spastic, ATF. And his tank is a friggen 1/2 circle. what is there to rub on? I also just added a new power head, so he should be getting more exercise.

Thanks for the input everyone.
 
I had a 6" VATF in a 30 gal as a temporary tank and he didn't rub to that extreme. I noticed if you black out the sides they don't bang as much. Also I noticed that as the week wore on before I changed water he spazed out more as the nitrates accumulated. Once I changed like 90% of the water each time he settled down. This was a pretty consistent pattern.
 
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