HELP! Hystrix with huge “bump”…. Can’t open mouth to eat!

[wg666666]

I have a growing pair of hystrix in my 240, about 1.5 years old. They are in with an older 14-inch female hystrix ….Yesterday noticed that the young female can’t eat the worms I’m feeding because it can’t open its mouth?? There’s a large “bump” and red area just below the mouth around the “throat” on the bottom of the disc….it tries desperately to eat, pins the worm and smashes it’s head trying to get it, but it can’t open? Seems healthy and active and chases the worms on the tongs just can’t ingest them….I’ve had hystrix rays 15 years and never seen this…. Thoughts?? Could it have gotten stung? She acts completely heathy otherwise…. All water parameters are good….

 

[oldfish]

I would anesthetize the ray with oil of cloves or ms-222. then I would check and see what the lump is. You may need to use a scalpel to lance it and remove whatever is causing the bump.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

kno4te

 

[kno4te]

Tumor, infection or abscess. Could be any of those things.I’d suggest what old fish has mentioned or see a vet. Can try some metronidazole with maracyn2 with Epsom salt in a qt tank but likely it needs some sort of physical intervention ( lancing or respecting). Have a feeling meds won’t work. Best of luck. Keep us updated on what happens.

 

[wg666666]

Here some pics…you can see she’s fat and healthy……she just cannot open her mouth! She tries so hard to eat but can’t …. I’m gonna contact some vets ..

 

[kno4te]

How long has it not been eating? Could have been tagged from the other ray. Maybe some time will let the swelling go down but unpredictable. If not the swelling area need to drained immediately.

 

[wg666666]

She couldn’t eat Wednesday morning…. She gets fed twice a day strictly night crawlers, probably 4-5 each meal….she’s probably 10-inch disc and fat

 

[wednesday13]

IMO possibly a goiter… not sure if there is a cure or not. Might have to force feed her some mazuri vitamen tabs for sharks/rays. More common problem in salty rays…Id guess it could be from the worm only diet. It does look like she may have been stung under there also tho. Surprising as rays usually take hits well with no ill effects. Might just b unfortunate being tagged in her “throat”… i agree with oldfish , to use a sedative and inspect it. Might be a barb in there preventing her from opening. Ive also seen other members have to cut out tumors before. If it is a barb, should b able to pull it right out her mouth hopefully. Wish u luck ??

 

[spotfin]

Update?