My small pond comet "Gill" has had a small mass on his side under the skin for a month now; it just recently moved thru the skin and opened into a little "balloon like mass" (reddish/clear)... not really sure what it is... it doesn't seem to resemble anything I've seen in terms of pictures of parasites etc. He acts fine, no flashing, and eats normally, but I've isolated him just in case this is contagious. I haven't moved any new fish into the tank in over a year.
Anyone have an idea of what this bump is? (see pic)
[attachmentid=9848]
Aquarium Description:
-50 gallon, 5 fish (one 2" Randa, one 6" butterfly koi, one 6" pond comet, one 4" pond comet and a Pleco to eat algae)
- 1/3 water changed ever week
-Ph, Nitrites, Nitrates are fine; ammonia is on the high-ish level, but has always been like this for 2 years since I moved into my current apartment (so that's why I change water often)
Full Version: Funny Bump?
Because you are overstocked and your ammonia is on the high side I'd up the water changes. Water conditons always seem to be the culprit to many of our problems in fish keeping. Do you have the actual numbers of your test results? I'm pretty sure the experts will want the exact test results to help figure out the problem.
Unfortunately I don't have actual numbers for the water, but I do go to a very reputable fish store on a weekly basis and get the water tested. These people only deal with fish and have been highly recommended.
I do realize my tank is a overstocked (the butterfly koi is actually for sale), but I'm really wanting to figure out what exactly this 'thing' is on the comet. It doesn't look like any parasites, fungus, etc. that I've seen. I was hoping someone on here might have seen such a thing before? (I'm hesitant to sell the koi to anyone without knowing what this comet has developed).
I do realize my tank is a overstocked (the butterfly koi is actually for sale), but I'm really wanting to figure out what exactly this 'thing' is on the comet. It doesn't look like any parasites, fungus, etc. that I've seen. I was hoping someone on here might have seen such a thing before? (I'm hesitant to sell the koi to anyone without knowing what this comet has developed).
That's great that you have a good fish store that you can rely on.I wish we all had one of those in our neighborhood. 
Your tank is overstocked for sure.We try to recommend not owning a Koi in a fish tank to begin with,and that all Commons/Comets receive at least 15-20 gallons per fish to start with as they grow pretty big themselves and need plenty of space to swim. I would guess that changing out the water at 30% once a week would not be enough to keep your tank params ideal.
What you are describing on your fish sounds like a cyst/lump,which is sometimes common in goldfish.
The only thing is that if that lump appears all of a sudden out of nowhere,and it's tinged with red,it should be treated as bacterial.Once that swells and bursts,an ulcer will be present,and that in itself can be a problem as bacteria is able to invade even more.
It sounds like you've had fish for a while,but my advice to you would to be get your own Drop Test Kit,so that you know what exactly needs to be done with your water params.
Without knowing any exact number's,I would also advise to change out at least 50% or more on a weekly basis,along with very good gravel vacs.
I personally would start treating the fish with medicated food asap.If you don't have any,The Goldfish Connection has Medi-Gold that does an awesome job on sick fish,and food is the fastest way into a fish's system anyway.
Pristene water though is the first thing that you need to have though.
Does your water read an ammonia level right out of the tap,or have the ammonia levels always been high because your tank is so overstocked?ON an established tank,all ammonia/Nitrites should be reading 0---The best place for Nitrates is under 20 ppms,so that's where your tank really needs to be. Water born Meds are kind of pointless if your params are not in order.
Your tank is overstocked for sure.We try to recommend not owning a Koi in a fish tank to begin with,and that all Commons/Comets receive at least 15-20 gallons per fish to start with as they grow pretty big themselves and need plenty of space to swim. I would guess that changing out the water at 30% once a week would not be enough to keep your tank params ideal.
What you are describing on your fish sounds like a cyst/lump,which is sometimes common in goldfish.
The only thing is that if that lump appears all of a sudden out of nowhere,and it's tinged with red,it should be treated as bacterial.Once that swells and bursts,an ulcer will be present,and that in itself can be a problem as bacteria is able to invade even more.
It sounds like you've had fish for a while,but my advice to you would to be get your own Drop Test Kit,so that you know what exactly needs to be done with your water params.
Without knowing any exact number's,I would also advise to change out at least 50% or more on a weekly basis,along with very good gravel vacs.
I personally would start treating the fish with medicated food asap.If you don't have any,The Goldfish Connection has Medi-Gold that does an awesome job on sick fish,and food is the fastest way into a fish's system anyway.
Pristene water though is the first thing that you need to have though.
Does your water read an ammonia level right out of the tap,or have the ammonia levels always been high because your tank is so overstocked?ON an established tank,all ammonia/Nitrites should be reading 0---The best place for Nitrates is under 20 ppms,so that's where your tank really needs to be. Water born Meds are kind of pointless if your params are not in order.
Hey Devs,
Thanks so much for your help... unfortunately the little guy started to float vertically last night and was gone this morning. I really have no idea what happened to him! I'm going to run a UV filter on the tank for the next month, which I've been told is a great way to get rid of any parasites that might be lingering in the water. (Is this true?)
On the previous topic of over-stocking... I'm now down to the 6" comet, 6" butterfly koi and the 2" randa. I do hope to get the koi a home soon, but would like to add maybe another randa or two to the tank. Would this be okay? I've bred guppies and apple snails for a long time, but have only been raising goldfish and koi for 3 years now. I honestly thought that a 50 gallon would be enough for the fish I had; but it seems like that caused problems.
Thoughts on how many fish ARE appropriate for this sized tank?
Thanks so much for your help... unfortunately the little guy started to float vertically last night and was gone this morning. I really have no idea what happened to him! I'm going to run a UV filter on the tank for the next month, which I've been told is a great way to get rid of any parasites that might be lingering in the water. (Is this true?)
On the previous topic of over-stocking... I'm now down to the 6" comet, 6" butterfly koi and the 2" randa. I do hope to get the koi a home soon, but would like to add maybe another randa or two to the tank. Would this be okay? I've bred guppies and apple snails for a long time, but have only been raising goldfish and koi for 3 years now. I honestly thought that a 50 gallon would be enough for the fish I had; but it seems like that caused problems.
Thoughts on how many fish ARE appropriate for this sized tank?
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