Ulcer?

[cathbad]

I've had this guy for about a month and over the past 3-4 days this has developed. He is in a five gallon tank of his own with only a peppermint shrimp for company. He eats well even now and will anything he is given, flakes, pellets, frozen, freeze dried and live amphipods. His breathing is normal and activity level is normal/unchanged. The temperature varies by about five degrees from morning to night from around 77 to 82. Ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate is <5, pH is 7.9-8.0 and salinity is 36. Thanks for any help it is greatly appreciated.

 

[beth]

Looks like he has developed some sort of wound. Is that open or is it just a bump? Is the shrimp trying to clean that area at all?

 

[cathbad]

I have not seen the two interact at all since they have been together. Since yesterday it has opened and as of tonight it has opened up considerably more creating a pit. But he still acts more or less normal. Should I start using an antibiotic as a precaution?

 

[beth]

What kind of substrate do you have in that tank? Those look more like pebbles then sand.

 

[cathbad]

It is crushed coral. He is only about 1 3/4 inch long. The tank was set-up several months before anything was added.

 

[tizzo]

I don't know about the fish, so I'll let Beth keep on that, but can I make a suggestion??? Turn you heater up to 81 or 82 (1 degree no less than every 2 hours). This will prevent those temp swings, and provide a less stress environment for your fishies.

 

[beth]

It could simply be a tumor or perhaps an attack by the shrimp when your not looking.
Unless you have a QT, there is no way to try and address it with antibiotics. How is the fish doing now?

 

[cathbad]

I do have a qt but it is being used for a new acquisition, but I may have something else and I'll remove one or the other and see if it helps. Other than the hole becoming larger it seems okay. He has begun to eat less but otherwise acts normal.
I was thinking that using antibiotics would prevent any secondary infections. About 1.5 weeks ago I ordered a small heater so hopefully it will be here soon.

 

[beth]

You can try the Maracyn Two for SW fish, but if it is indeed a tumor or growth, not much you can do.

 

[cathbad]

The wound is now completely open, but activity level is the same. Quite interesting.

 

[cathbad]

Well, the fish disappeared several days after the last post so I assumed he had died and was consumed by the pods. However, two days ago while sitting at my desk I looked up and he came swimming into the open. The wound was healed but he looked a bit thin. Since, he is coming into the open more and he is eating more and appears to be more active each day. I still don't know what the problem was but apparently it is no longer there. If he does survive he will be calling a new 90 gallon home the first part of next year.

 

[beth]

I would assume that it was a wound. Try target feeding him with a turkey baster to ensure getting him fattened up.