Unidentified growth???

Hi All

I've got a male Albino with what appears to be some sort of raised growth on his back near the front of his dorsal. Looks a bit like a pimple and is a grey colour although it might be a wound with a scab. He seems to be in good health and active so at this stage I'm not overly concerned but I am quite curious.

I bought him about 2 weeks ago and to be honest I'm not sure if he had when I got him but I noticed it a day of so after and it doesn't appear to be getting larger so maybe he's had it for a while.



Sorry about the quality of the photo but he lives up the back of his tank and the water's got IAL in it so it's a bit yellow.

Just wondered if anyone had any idea on what it might be????

It could be a bacterial infection possibly at the site of an old wound, or a small tumour. You could try an anti-bacterial medicine and monitor the lump for growth.

Thanks Jim, yes it does look a little like a tumour but I've also got IAL in the water just in case it's bacterial. I might add some Melafix as well. I wondered though, are tumours common? most animals with fair or albino skin are susceptible to skin problems but then again Bristlenose aren't exposed to the sun so maybe this isn't an issue???

Mike wrote:

Thanks Jim, yes it does look a little like a tumour but I've also got IAL in the water just in case it's bacterial. I might add some Melafix as well. I wondered though, are tumours common? most animals with fair or albino skin are susceptible to skin problems but then again Bristlenose aren't exposed to the sun so maybe this isn't an issue???

I think tumours are probably as common in fish as humans. many internal tumours probably go undiagnosed.

Cauliflower Disease is a type of viral infection that causes small tumors to grow on the lateral line and the areas joining body and fins, sometimes looking like cauliflower, thus the name. Fish with this disease become lethargic and have difficulty with balance while swimming. To correct the problem, nitrates and ammonia levels in the water need to be reduced with frequent.

Another type of tumour are Solid tumors they can be either benign or malignant and can also be very slow or fast growing. Solid tumors can show up on any part of your fish externally or internally.

Thanks once again Jim I'll keep an eye out for those symptoms and others as well