HELP Senegal bichir HUGE lump on side!!!

[D33VO]

I noticed a large lump on his side about a week ago and it's been growing I've been treating the tank with melafix I didn't know if there was anything else I could do I've had him for over 5 years now I really don't want to lose him. Is it an injury, or a parasite?
He seems to be acting normal still eating and swimming around fine but the lump has grown I'm concerned about it bursting.
I'm very upset don't want to lose him

 

[tlindsey]

View attachment 1315951 View attachment 1315952 View attachment 1315953 I noticed a large lump on his side about a week ago and it's been growing I've been treating the tank with melafix I didn't know if there was anything else I could do I've had him for over 5 years now I really don't want to lose him. Is it an injury, or a parasite?
He seems to be acting normal still eating and swimming around fine but the lump has grown I'm concerned about it bursting.
I'm very upset don't want to lose him

I personally would remove the ornaments for awhile until things improved. Looks like an injury to me but not certain.

 

[kno4te]

Does look like an injury. Is the growth growing? Water parameters? Tankmates?

Can u quarantine the Senegalus for a while to monitor and potentially use an antibiotic?

 

[clm08k]

+1 to everything previously said. Sorry you are going through this. It can be terrifying, but keep us posted with your parameters and we will try to help. No poly left behind!

Is there gravel in the the tank that could have been ingested?

besides the swelling,....Does the red/pink wound appear to be a growth hanging outside on the poly? or is does it look like a bloody scratch, or red coloring?

 

[D33VO]

I need to get the parameters checked today but the thing has definitely grown since I first saw it. There is mostly sand and a tiny bit of rainbow gravel but in the past if he's ever gotten a mouthful he's spit it out. Since it's growing I don't think it's be something he ate.
His tankmates are a large fireeel and tire track eel, a clown knife, and there are 3 little lace catfish. It it possible for that to happen from getting stabbed by a catfish?
I will have to set up a tank to put him in because everyone in the tank likes to hide besides feeding time so I don't wanna take away hiding places

 

[kno4te]

It can happen from getting stuck from a catfish spine.

 

[D33VO]

It can happen from getting stuck from a catfish spine.

That's what I was thinking

 

[kno4te]

Would move it to a qt tank and add some triple sulfa to the qt tank. Gotta check the water daily in order to maintain good quality.

 

[Metch095]

Have you had any updated info? Not to necro an ancient thread but I am in the same boat with a palmas. Over the last 2 days its progressed so rapidly that its ruptured and seemingly has turned black. Any advice is welcome.

Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 10-20ppm (planted)

First 2 images are today, second images were last night which was day 2 after seeing a small red spot and treating with kana.