lump

[Jamie.denn]

help. This is Dino. Last week I noticed this lump on him. I tried to not feed him for a week and it looks like it is going down some. But in that week I have noticed he doesnt swim as much as he use to.

 

[libertybelle]

I’m not sure I can even tell what kind of fish that is or what I am looking at from the picture. Could you give us the information in this sticky: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f17/before-posting-about-unhealthy-fish-read-this-32451.html

 

[Jamie.denn]

He's a senegal bichir. approximately 4 years old. He's in a 55 gallon tank with 3 other fish: another sengal bichir ( same age), a leaf fish and a cory catfish. I change the water last month and do it monthly with a 75 % water change out. I havent put any new fish or decorations in the tank for over a year. I feel him carnivore pellets and frozen shrimp blocks

 

[libertybelle]

When was the last time you tested water parameters and what were the numbers.

Is the lump on one side or is it more like bloating?

Actually now that I’m oriented in the picture it looks like it’s more towards his back? Any external damage that you can see?

 

[Jamie.denn]

My fiance did the testing and he said it was normal, I'm not sure what the numbers were. The lump was on the right side but ever the week is has gotten smaller and more towards his center. He doesnt appear to have any injuries and I havent noticed any.

 

[Jamie.denn]

At first i thought it was because he was bloated and needed time to digest, so i stopped feeding for a week. Thats when I noticed the lump was getting smaller. But I didnt want to go longer not feeding them

 

[libertybelle]

That’s interesting; the fact that it’s getting smaller and seems to have moved makes me think maybe it was a physical injury that caused some internal swelling?

Any aggression from tank mates that you’ve noticed? You may want to consider adding some hiding places if there’s a possibility they’re duking it out after dark sometimes.

 

[Tony30gal]

Bichirs always eat things THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO... most commonly small rocks! A lot of times it’s a waiting game to see if they pass it or die.. I’ve lost a couple to this. Is your tank all sand?

Could also be a tumor.. maybe this video will help some on ideal tank setup.
https://youtu.be/CMZ9LoQDSTo

 

[Jamie.denn]

I haven't noticed any aggression from the other fish. But that doesnt mean it doesnt happen while i'm at work.
Tony30gal: I have sand down but there were some small rocks in there from when I swtiched from rocks to sand. I was thinking that maybe he did swallow a rock. Some of the advice I have gotten is the basic, He ate a rock or that he is constipated. which is why i didnt feed them for almost a week.

 

[Jamie.denn]

I came home today and he seems to be okay. He still has the lump but he was swimming better. The past couple of days he's been hanging out on the bottom, not swimming.

 

[Tony30gal]

This is crazy.. I’m rooting for him!

 

[Jamie.denn]

Me too tony. He's one of the first fish I've ever owned. Thank you for all of the help.