Puffer with bulge on side

[Westpat]

I have a porcupine fish with a bulge in his side right behind the right gill slit. I am suspecting an air bubble, but it has been this way since Monday. He is showing no outward signs of disease, and ate normally on Monday. What little he swims he is tilted up toward that side, that is why I think air bubble. The parameters
in the water were okay, but I did a 20% change last night to be sure.
He has been laying in the corner where he "sleeps" for the most part, and his breathing seems to be normal. His skin pattern and eyes are a little darker than normal.
The tank is a 55g, and he is 8-9" long. *I lost the other fish out of the tank about 6 weeks ago, a lunare wrasse. He was missing scales though and had a wound on the side so I would think unrelated. Both fish are 7-8 years old.
I can provide pictures by email.

Any suggestions are welcome!
Thanks,
David

 

[Westpat]

Sorry for double posting. It never confirmed this post so that is why I redid it.
David

 

[Hattie B]

Hi David,

Did the puffer become 'sick' when your wrasse died?

Does the bulge look solid? Like a solid mass?

Can you post the pic to see?

 

[Westpat]

In the last two days, but yes in the same tank. It looks solid since it has not moved. I got in touch with Kelly from LMAS since she is well regarded for puffer care and she has me starting on Maracyn 2 tonight. He did eat some shrimp today so that is a good sign I hope. Will post more tomorrow.
David

 

[Hattie B]

Oh Good, good to here that..

LMK-what happens.

 

[Westpat]

Started QT baths with Maracyn-2 tonight. 10x strength, one hour at a time. We will see how it goes!

David

 

[Hattie B]

Good luck.. Do you have a pic of the puffer?

 

[Westpat]

We lost him tonight while he was in his antibiotic bath.
He will be missed by the entire family!
David

 

[Westpat]

Had a necropsy today. Vet said that it looked like a type of liver cancer. Liver tissue was abnormally colored and there were several nodes developed in it.

FYI,
David

 

[Hattie B]

Wow,

How old was he?

did he have a fattty liver?

Thanks for updating.. Most of the time I never see anything posted back..

Sorry for your loss too.

I have a Mappa, I call him my Aqua Dog..

 

[Westpat]

Sorry I've been away

Sorry I've been away

The vet did the necropsy and said that it looked like a type of cancer. The liver tissue had little white beads embedded within it. I can try to send pics, but I have a hard time posting them on here. Does the description help?
David