What is this odd growth on my Red head Tapajos pectoral fin?

[LS2012]

I'm stumped.. Not sure what to do here. I'm concerned about the Geo as well as its tankmates. If needed, I can qt this fish in a 10g. Its in a planted/scaped tank, so it would be a task to get it out, but not impossible.

This morning I noticed an odd ?growth? On the right pectoral fin where it meets the body. It looks like an irregular shaped bump in the crevice on top of the fin. It looks kind of pink with white bumps. This is the first time I've seen it, and this tank is frequently observed. The Geo is eating, sifting, swimming and active as usual.

Its hard to get a good pic, so I'm including a quick video as well.

Stock list
2m/4f Red head Tapajos 3-4 in
1m/1f hypselacara temporalis, 4in
1m/1f Bujurquina sp. Para Brazil, 4 in
1m/1f Australoheros Oblongum, 3 in
1m L240 pleco

** 1 five in myersi removed 2 days ago, became too aggressive with others during feedings. If the geo's issue is an injury, the myersi was the culprit **

As with most geos, they're constantly darting around and nipping at each other. More so like children poking each other versus what I'd call true aggression.

110g SA Cichlid tank, established for 7 months, used my two eheim 2217* filters from their prior 1 yr old tank. 1050 hydor power head, Eco complete and Tahitian black sand substrate. Peat pellets in filter, Driftwood, inert rocks. Daily micro/macro ferts, r/o water buffered with seachem equilibrium and alkaline. Willow, giant hygro, wendtii and anubias plants in tank. Pothos with roots only in tank. 30% weekly w/c, pH 7.4, temp 79, amm 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 10-20, gh/kh 5/6

Advice? Suggestions? Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_zjCSiii7c

Full tank shot for reference



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[Aquanero]

It's diffacult to determine if this is viral or bacterial. If it is viral there is really no treatment other than keeping the water as clean as possibile. If it is bacterial there are a couple of options. I would set up the hospital tank dose with one tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of water and place a drop or 2 of Methylene Blue directly on to the effected area. See if the Methylene Blue has any effect on the growth, if it does re-apply in 48 hours. Let me know how it looks.

 

[LS2012]

Thanks Tom. I'll pick up mb as soon as we can plow our way out to drive after the storm. After reading a few posts I was afraid you were going to say it was lymphocystis.

I'll definitely keep you posted.

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[Aquanero]

Malachite Green is generally used for the treatment of fungus and external parasites. MG is also very harsh on sensative fish like scaless fish catfish etc. and becomes more toxic at lower Ph levels. MG doesn't have the antiseptic properties of Methylene Blue. MG does not have the blood oxigen enhancing properties of MB and is not useful as an anti-bacterial. MB on the other hand is effective against both gram positive and negative bacteria and is very hard on nitrifying bacteria so should be avoided in main display tanks for this reason, baths and swabs are the easiest way to use it. MG is not hard on BB and can be used in main display treatments. They look similar but are used for different things.

I konw it's snowing like crazy here right now. If you have Peroxide you can put a drop of that on the growth as a substatute for the MB untill you can get out. Let it sit for about 15 secs befor putting the fish back into the tank. You should still salt the water in the hospital tank and see how it effects the growth.

I'm not saying this isn't viral it could be but try the H2O2 and see how that works, be carful to stay away from the gills when applying.

 

[LS2012]

Thanks Tom. Perfect explanation. Let's hope it stays still for this and roads will be OK tomorrow. Stay warm

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[LS2012]

Just realized I never provided an update! Thanks for your help Tom.

Picked up mb the next day, did a quick dip and swab. While ever so gently doing the swab, the lump opened and released what appeared to be a scale and a bit of blood. The area was very red and open afterwards. Put the Geo into a cycled 10g tank with sand and a terracotta pot. Dissolved 2tbsp of AQ salt in advance. Next day added furan2 and melafix for the next 4 days. Now just melafix. The pectoral fin was damaged from the bump. Looks like only the full top half of the pectoral fin is remaining. The fish is active, eating and swimming. Resting in a Terra cotta pot, However, still occasionally has a bit of labored breathing. Ammonia & Nitrites are 0, nitrates 10, pH 7.4, GH/kh 5/6, temp 79. (Same parameters as its original tank) Using a cycled Ac 30 filter and airstone. I'll get a pic when I get home later.

Any additional suggestions?
Best, Laurie

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[Aquanero]

I don't like oil based treatments like Pima or melafix because I feel they coat the gills and can impare resperation. I would do a 50% water change and add 1 table spoon of salt to help resperation. Tommarrow do another MB bath with 1 teaspoon in 5 gallons of water for 30 mins. Then put the fish back in the hospital tank and then just let the fish rest and recover for a few days in clean salted water. After a few days if all seems well you can return the fish to the main tank. It will take a while for the fin to grow back.

 

[LS2012]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm going to do EXACTLY what you said!

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