Black Widow Tetra health questions

[Guest]

My female Black Widow Tetra seemed to be having some fin rot and, more obviously, I noticed some lumps or growths protruding at the back end of its body just as it joins the tail fin. It's colors are normal, lots of heavy black and silver, and the lumps or growths are in the same color as its body.

I put it in a hospital tank and have been trying various medications, so far with no effect on the lumps. I have two questions:

1-Are lumps or growths possibly normal on this fish?...It is possible that due to the black color they may have been there without my having noticed them, maybe forever.

2-The strangest thing is that since I put it in the hospital tank, almost a week ago, it doesn't eat. Yet, it is swimming well and looks otherwise healthy. It is almost like it has lost any awareness of food. Any idea of what's going on?

I have had this fish, along with a male, for over a year with no prior problems, and no significant problems with any others in the same community tank.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Allivymar]

Lump n bumps aren't normal (unless its that funky head lump thing some male cichlids get).

Unfortunately, tumors (if thats what they are) aren't really treatable. Some folks with expensive fish (like koi) will go for surgery to remove them, but even then there is no guarantee they won't grow back. My guess is the tumors are under the skin, since they are the same color, and may be muscular or even bone.

There is also a chance they are some sort of cysts, due to an infection. I sort of doubt it, as except for feeding there doesn't seem to be any other sign of problems. That may be why medications (which ones have you tried btw, and for how long?) have not had an effect.

I'm afraid I don't have any really useful suggestions. Keep a close eye on him; maybe he'll start eating again. If you find he doesn't and he starts to lose weight seriously, you may want to euthanize him and keep him from suffering.

 

[Guest]

Thanks.

I used Maracyn Plus, the liquid "biospheres" Mardel product, which is sulfadimidine and trimethorprin...used it for the full 5-day period, then did a big water change.

Since then, I started using Kanacyn (powder in capsules), which is kanamycin sulfate and sodium chloride activity. I am in the midst of that treatment.

I think I put a dose or two of Melafix in at some point, as well as some Coppersafe and maybe Aquarisol. I had put those last two in before the water change.

Let me know what you think. Also, should I put her back in the community tank, or wait it out more in the hospital tank. I think the last of the three Kanacyn treatments will be Tuesday...by Wednesday, then, she will have been in the hospital tank about 2 weeks (assuming she survives).

 

[stoneydee]

I think one reason she may be off her feed is tht she misses the other tetra. Tetras are schooling fish and seem to get part of their identity from the others in the school. As to the condition you describe, I'm at a loss. I've never had it with any of mone and I have 15 of them in two different tanks.

 

[Guest]

I agree that the separation of the male and female could be a problem. The male (who remains in the community tank), from the time I moved the female out, has been behaving completely differently as well. He hides a lot, hangs low, and is just not as gregarious and secure. He eats well and looks healthy, but definitely seems affected by the separation.

Do you think I should stay with the program until I see if the female responds or improves in the hospital tank?...I don't think it would be a great idea to put the male in the hospital tank. If I knew whatever the lumps are on the female couldn't affect the other fish, I would put her back in the community tank, without further medicating and see what happens.