Regal Angel Help please!!

[msaba]

My 3 month old regal angel has developed a growth on his lower lip that has rapidly grown to the size of a large pea over the last 2 weeks. I have unsuccessfully tried freshwater dips and maracyn. The fish is otherwise eating and behaving normally. I cut off a large portion of the lesion and sent it to our hospital pathology department. I am told Mr. Angel Fish has a parasitic infection...

this fish was purchased from a on line retailer, was QT for 2 months, but I do not know if it was empirically treated...


Unfortunately it appears to be growing in part inside his mouth and I am afraid if I cant successfully treat him soon he will not be able to eat. ANy suggestions for treatment would be greatly appreciated. I will try and attach a picture, but for some reason, my photobucket tags are too long?

tank facts:

1 year 90 g sps tank, SG 1025, nitrates undect.

no new fish in last 6 months

tankmates: 6 anthias, copperband butterfly

thanks

mark

 

[msaba]

picture

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I can't say I've had experience with this condition but it appears to be a fungus.

OXYTETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE:

Oxytetracycline is a naturally occurring Tetracycline that is more broad spectrum than Tetracycline Hydrochloride (but not as broad spectrum as Minocycline, especially as to gram negative bacteria).

USE: Oxytetracycline will treat gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria.
Marine ulcer disease, cold water disease, bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia (Symptoms: Red streaks in body and fins), or redness in the body. Also open sores or loss of scales and mouth fungus.

DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg teaspoon per 20 gallons every 48 hours (24 hours for severe problems) with a 50% water change before each treatment. This antibiotic is best used mixed in with food, especially if your ph is above 8.0.

Contraindications

*Best not used concurrently with other antibiotics or chemical treatments, although use in a bath with Methylene Blue is OK.
*Do not use with fish suffering from ammonia/nitrite poisoning or with fish with low red blood cell count (anemia) such as suffering from an acute gill infestation of Velvet, Flukes or similar parasites that attacks the gills and thus renders a fish anemic.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Medication.html#change_med

Hopefully someone with experience will chime in. Also I do not use a net with an angel fish. Their operculum spines get caught in the net and can cause an infection.

 

[Rea17]

To me it looks like a really severe case of lympho, a normally benign viral infection to which there is no cure other than waiting it out. Occasionally when the mass grows over the mouth like this it needs to be surgically removed so it doesn't inhibit eating.

Is the skin missing on the upper lip?

Fungal infections are very rare in marine aquariums, and usually untreatable. I would explore other diagnoses before calling this fungal.

 

[Speeddemon7]

Did the pathology department give you any other info other then it's a parasite? I feel like they should have. Also, rea17 I have never experienced lympho can it really grow this fast in just two weeks?!

Fungus was my first impression also. But I'm not really sure. It's a very shocking photo though. Best of luck msaba.

 

[pradeep]

Djdhdg

 

[msaba]

thanks for the responses--the growth appears to be 'exophytic'--as opposed to an tissue penetrating growth..I will continue to try and excise it, however now that it is in the mouth some I am not confident I can be as effective in this regard. The pathologist is a friend of mine, he is going to run some other tests, but i do not know what more info to expect as he is 'human' pathologist..

thanks for your interest and suggestions to date


mark

 

[Rea17]

Also, rea17 I have never experienced lympho can it really grow this fast in just two weeks?!

Yes, it can. I'd bet money that is what the problem is here.

 

[msaba]

If it is lymphocytosis, is there any decent chance it may resolve? I don't want to watch the fish starve to death if it has no meaningful chance at recovery...

thanks

Mark

 

[Rea17]

I have seen lympho recede as quickly as it appears under good conditions and diet. With the state of the regal, I think your best chance is to remove the abscess to help the fish feed.

 

[Rea17]

Sorry to double post, but I think you should reach out to one of the experts on this forum or Bob Fenner to get their take on the situation.

 

[Mrscribbled]

I have also seen lympho appear over night, some so bad the fish is totally covered.

 

[las]

hows this fish doing? in the past ive had good results dosing iodine for lympho