grimly024

I have an adult gold angelfish that has started to grow multiple wart looking bumps on his body - one larger bump has a cauliflower texture with a slight fuzz or cottony substance on some parts of it. The fish is acting fine and eating well. The bumps started small and today they have grown larger. What should I use to treat the tank? None of the other fish appear to be effected. I unfortunately do not have another tank to put the angel in for treatment.

Water levels are perfect (0-0-20) and I do weekly 15-20% water changes. (But I will obviously do some larger ones when/if I medicate)


Any input will be appreciated!

joy1125

sounds like lymphocystis, because you mentioned the cauliflower appearance. Lymphocystis is viral, and unfortunately, no cure.

but before jumping the gun here, any way you can post a picture ?

grimly024

Here are some pics I took just now!

Attached Images

	IMG_0599.jpg (461.9 KB, 58 views)
	IMG_0601.jpg (434.9 KB, 52 views)

joy1125

yes, it does look like lymphocystis. But please google "lymphocystis in fish" and see some additional photos and read the info, so you can make thhat determination. But it does have the classic signs of this disease. One site I went to, said angels and butterflys are susceptible, in particular.

But apparently aside from it being unsightly, there's no immediate health risk to the fish, and there is a chance that it will clear on it's own, and the fish will recover from it. if it is lymphocystis, it is viral, and there is no treatment. The advice though is to isolate the fish to stop the spread throughout the tank, and observe to see if it improves on it's own.

here's a couple websites with some additional info for you.

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/sal...mphocystis.htm

http://www.aquaworldaquarium.com/Art...stis_Virus.htm

http://www.jbl.de/onlinehospitaluk/p...=2&GalleryId=2
scroll down to lymphocystis to see photos and click to get info.


Sorry if your fish may have this. Please keep us updated.


edited to include this other link, by Dr. Adrian Lawler
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/...phocystis.html

this may be helpful, as it explains the course of the virus, and what to look out for as far as any secondary infections afterwards.

grimly024

Wow! Thanks for all the links and info! It does definitely sound like it could be lymphocycstis - I only wish I had another tank to quarantine him in! I live in a tiny apartment and I'm not suppose to have my 55 gallon in here already! I guess for now I will keep my tank really clean and do some extra water changes to keep him happy. As long as he is acting normal and eating I will assume that is what he has.

Thanks again!

joy1125

you're welcome. I do think it would be a good idea to quarantine the fish. The lymphocystis cells will eventually fall off the fish, and the infected cells can possibly infect the other fish.

You don't have to get another aquarium for this. You could get one of those big rubbermaid tubs, add a filter (with a small piece of media from your established tank) and a decoration or two from your established tank, and keep the angel in there for a few weeks. (Check water readings daily, and do water changes if necessary.)
That could spare your community tank from catching this.


Also, watch for any secondary infections, so keep the water params pristine.


I don't know if you read this part, it's from the first link I gave you, so I'm copying it here:



good luck grimly!