tumor-like growth on wolf eel

[lesam]

I've had "Wolfie" for aprox 4yrs, he's around 13" long, about 2 months ago a "bump" started growing on his lower chin. It is now about the size of a dime & appears to have stopped growing. It is a whitish color with some red spots. He is still eating a little but is getting weaker. I'd appreciate advise from anyone that has seen similar growths.... should I have it removed?? etc. I have moved him into a smaller tank so I can feed him by hand to try and get his strength built back up but I'm just not sure what else my options are..

 

[lesam]

Originally posted by Terry B
Lets start with the diet because that is where problems usually originate in long-term captive fish. What do you feed the fish and how often? Did you study the natural diet of this particular species and try to emulate that?
Terry B
Thanks for the feedback... he is fed a variety including formula, silversides, krill, etc. / as far as water changes go I have someone come in everyother week and he runs 15-45% on the change out. while he is there he runs the entire system through his filter cleaner, cks ph, etc. and adjust accordingly.

 

[lesam]

I am feeding the diet recommended by the manager of the maintenance company I've used for the last 10 yrs. It is after all their business to know or they would not be in business with the type of clients they handle. I posed this question to get feedback from someone who may have had experience with a similar situation. p.s. I do not feed live to any of my tanks and do not seek to keep any fish which require live food, assuming that's what you meant by "fresh".

 

[lesam]

The "wolf eel" (which is a commonly known fish in this area) is a gobie and not an eel. I am intelligent enough and have been around long enough to know that the average person working in any pet store doesn't even have a basic knowledge of the animals they push out the door. These are not the type of people I have entrusted the health of my fish with and the continued success over the past years of my tanks show they know what they are doing. I'm sorry if that is not good enough for you.
We've taken a biopsy of the tumor, the results will be back tomorrow. Cancer is suspected.

 

[jillian ayers]

I would like to say that I am very sorry for the illness of your fish. If it does have cancer, please take my deepest sympathies... I have no info. on eels, having never owned one, but I do feel for your predicament. Hope everything turns out ok.