Emergency : Very poorly Platy with huge white lump on side?

Hi guys I'm sorry for the SOS but I've got a huge problem and I'm panicking - one of my 3 month old Platy babies was looking really poorly 3 days ago and looked like it had been knocked/bashed by another fish, so I moved it into the hospital tank with Sushi (female Platy having a prolapse) and treat with some Methylene Blue and aquarium salt? Anyway over the last couple of days it started to look like there was a white spot forming, and I've just checked on them to find a massive white growth coming out of its side? I don't know what to do - please can anyone help?
Here's another picture ops:
The lump is huge, I don't know if it's fungal? I have a couple of medicines here including Methylene Blue like I said before; Interpet Anti White Spot+ and King British something?
The lump is huge, I don't know if it's fungal? I have a couple of medicines here including Methylene Blue like I said before; Interpet Anti White Spot+ and King British something?
The other medication I have is King British Disease Clear - will I do a water change to remove most of the Methylene Blue and add that? I'm really worried he looks so poorly??

 

Sorry no one else has helped you out, I may not be the most knowledgeable but I can give my option. From the photos and the injury you described i would think the wound (there was a wound right?) got infected so the growth could be fungal or bacterial. I would say your best bet it to get furan-2 or something similar As I see you are in the Uk and treat with that as it’s most likely a fungal infection (fungus) and just follow the instructions on the box, is the fish swimming and eating okay still? What water temperature is the tank it’s in now?

 

Sorry no one else has helped you out, I may not be the most knowledgeable but I can give my option. From the photos and the injury you described i would think the wound (there was a wound right?) got infected so the growth could be fungal or bacterial. I would say your best bet it to get furan-2 or something similar As I see you are in the Uk and treat with that as it’s most likely a fungal infection (fungus) and just follow the instructions on the box, is the fish swimming and eating okay still? What water temperature is the tank it’s in now?

Thanks so much for replying hun - I've been gutted that nobody has! ops: When I didn't get an answer after first posting, I did an 80% water change then added King British Disease Clear with 5g of aquatic salt. After a few hours that huge white lump fell off, leaving a strange mark (I also presumed it was fungal after frantic Internet searches..) - he's been basically hiding behind the filter since, but I noticed Sushi (the female alpha Platy with a prolapse who was in the hospital tank with him) bullying him a bit this morning for no reason (he's too poorly to be annoying bless him) so I've put her back in the big tank as she's better (fingers X'd) and added the 2nd dose of King British Disease Clear this evening. I'm now horrified to see a long stringy thing coming out of his side where the white lump was - at 1st I thought it was fish poo til I realised it's coming out of his side! It's defo not a worm (see pics) but he looked hungry for the first time since Tues so I've just given him a little food and he's pecked at it. There was no initial injury that I'd noticed either - I'm so worried about him, he's so sad looking
Here's another one.. Thanks again for replying - I really appreciate it
PS: I can't find Furan-2 on Amazon UK but I found a fungal thing by King British - will that work the same?

 

Furan-2 is an antibiotic, and I believe all antibiotics for fish are banned in the UK, which explains why you can't find it. At this point I think adding any other treatments would be redundant, so I'd say stick to what you've been doing, especially since he seems to be making improvements. It honestly looks like an anchor worm from the picture, but I believe you when you say it's not a worm. My best guess is some weird fungus.

 

Thanks so much for replying hun - I've been gutted that nobody has! ops: When I didn't get an answer after first posting, I did an 80% water change then added King British Disease Clear with 5g of aquatic salt. After a few hours that huge white lump fell off, leaving a strange mark (I also presumed it was fungal after frantic Internet searches..) - he's been basically hiding behind the filter since, but I noticed Sushi (the female alpha Platy with a prolapse who was in the hospital tank with him) bullying him a bit this morning for no reason (he's too poorly to be annoying bless him) so I've put her back in the big tank as she's better (fingers X'd) and added the 2nd dose of King British Disease Clear this evening. I'm now horrified to see a long stringy thing coming out of his side where the white lump was - at 1st I thought it was fish poo til I realised it's coming out of his side! It's defo not a worm (see pics) but he looked hungry for the first time since Tues so I've just given him a little food and he's pecked at it. There was no initial injury that I'd noticed either - I'm so worried about him, he's so sad looking
Here's another one.. Thanks again for replying - I really appreciate it
PS: I can't find Furan-2 on Amazon UK but I found a fungal thing by King British - will that work the same?

Hmmm okay, if there wasn’t an initial injury (or maybe there was but it was unnoticeable) it could be something else. I would agree with Deku-Cory to stick with the king British since it’s a broad spectrum kind of medicine so it will hopefully work for whatever this may be. Has the platy eaten a full meal recently, or just a few bites? What are you feeding him? Any chance you can get a frozen food like brine shrimp or daphnia? Also what are the water parameters of the tank he is normally in and the one he is in now?

 

Hi

Furan-2 is an antibiotic, and I believe all antibiotics for fish are banned in the UK, which explains why you can't find it. At this point I think adding any other treatments would be redundant, so I'd say stick to what you've been doing, especially since he seems to be making improvements. It honestly looks like an anchor worm from the picture, but I believe you when you say it's not a worm. My best guess is some weird fungus.

Hun, thanks for your answer. I've just looked up anchor worms and it actually looks a tiny bit similar, but aren't they more likely to be found in warm water tanks (all 3 of mine are cold water?) So maybe you could be right, but would that also explain the large white thing that preceded the stringy thing? I've sat up with him just about all night and he definitely seems a little better - he was hiding at the side of the filter constantly before but now I've relocated Sushi back to the main tank and been sitting with him he's been at the front with me Who knew that fishkeeping could be so stressful? It feels like having a sick child!

Hmmm okay, if there wasn’t an initial injury (or maybe there was but it was unnoticeable) it could be something else. I would agree with Deku-Cory to stick with the king British since it’s a broad spectrum kind of medicine so it will hopefully work for whatever this may be. Has the platy eaten a full meal recently, or just a few bites? What are you feeding him? Any chance you can get a frozen food like brine shrimp or daphnia? Also what are the water parameters of the tank he is normally in and the one he is in now?

Hi again hun. He probably ate a decent amount last night when I was sat with him, but that's the first real interest he's shown since Tues, and I'd actually have him a small piece of a King British Variety Treats press-on-glass food tab, simply because a) he usually goes mad for them and b) I wanted to be able to get a prolonged look at him and if he was truly eatung (as well as take photo's of his side for this thread..) Actually I have a small designated area in my freezer for a variety of frozen fish food, so all of my fish regularly get frozen daphnia, brine shrimp & bloodworm, and once every 2/3 months I buy live daphnia and bloodworms from a reputable seller on eBay (with 100% positive feedback as I'm paranoid, lol!) The water parameters in all of my tanks are normal (ammonia 0 / N's 0) but the PH in the bigger tank is slightly higher (7.4 last time I checked as opposed to about 7.1 in the hospital tank) as I've got Rabbit snails (adults and babies) who need a higher PH? Thanks so much again - the help is really appreciated
Just managed to get some photos (took a while I tell you...) - it appears some of the stringy thing has come off as it's definitely not as long as it was last night?

 

I don't think it's an anchor worm if it's breaking off like that. I think it's just fungus or some sort, and the treatment is doing its job and causing the fungus to die off. Honestly I see no issues with your care that would have caused this, you're clearly very diligent.

 

Hi

Hun, thanks for your answer. I've just looked up anchor worms and it actually looks a tiny bit similar, but aren't they more likely to be found in warm water tanks (all 3 of mine are cold water?) So maybe you could be right, but would that also explain the large white thing that preceded the stringy thing? I've sat up with him just about all night and he definitely seems a little better - he was hiding at the side of the filter constantly before but now I've relocated Sushi back to the main tank and been sitting with him he's been at the front with me Who knew that fishkeeping could be so stressful? It feels like having a sick child!

Hi again hun. He probably ate a decent amount last night when I was sat with him, but that's the first real interest he's shown since Tues, and I'd actually have him a small piece of a King British Variety Treats press-on-glass food tab, simply because a) he usually goes mad for them and b) I wanted to be able to get a prolonged look at him and if he was truly eatung (as well as take photo's of his side for this thread..) Actually I have a small designated area in my freezer for a variety of frozen fish food, so all of my fish regularly get frozen daphnia, brine shrimp & bloodworm, and once every 2/3 months I buy live daphnia and bloodworms from a reputable seller on eBay (with 100% positive feedback as I'm paranoid, lol!) The water parameters in all of my tanks are normal (ammonia 0 / N's 0) but the PH in the bigger tank is slightly higher (7.4 last time I checked as opposed to about 7.1 in the hospital tank) as I've got Rabbit snails (adults and babies) who need a higher PH? Thanks so much again - the help is really appreciated
Just managed to get some photos (took a while I tell you...) - it appears some of the stringy thing has come off as it's definitely not as long as it was last night?

Yeah it’s definitely shrinking which is a good sign, the medicine you are giving him is definitely working then so I’d say just stick with that. You are doing a great job with this guy and as long as he’s eating every day he should be good to go in no time hopefully.

 

I don't think it's an anchor worm if it's breaking off like that. I think it's just fungus or some sort, and the treatment is doing its job and causing the fungus to die off. Honestly I see no issues with your care that would have caused this, you're clearly very diligent.

Thankyou so much for that - I've been stressed to death thinking I'm not doing enough or doing something wrong! ♡

Yeah it’s definitely shrinking which is a good sign, the medicine you are giving him is definitely working then so I’d say just stick with that. You are doing a great job with this guy and as long as he’s eating every day he should be good to go in no time hopefully.

Thankyou, I really hope so - he's looking very sad again at the moment and is lying on the gravel tucked into the side of the filter again, which is a bit worrying :'( I'll just keep on trying: the medicine I'm using says to re-dose every 3 or 4 days while symptoms persist on the King British Web info thingy, so that'll be Tuesday before I can give him any more..
Hi again guys, I'm ill it's now worse Just checked on him and thought yey he's going to the toilet - until he turned round and I realised it's coming out of his side :'( The stringy thing is now over an inch long (which is probably longer than him..) - I'm so worried he's so helpless bless him I've just put part of another press-on-glass food treat on the front of the tank to try and get him to eat (and take more pictures to show you) - it's awful, poor little thing was flicking against the gravel as if he was trying to get it off him. It's literally like he's going to the toilet out of his side - I'm sorry if I sound nuts but can that happen?? Also so sorry for yet another S.O.S - I don't know who else to shout out to? :'(

 

Thankyou so much for that - I've been stressed to death thinking I'm not doing enough or doing something wrong! ♡

Thankyou, I really hope so - he's looking very sad again at the moment and is lying on the gravel tucked into the side of the filter again, which is a bit worrying :'( I'll just keep on trying: the medicine I'm using says to re-dose every 3 or 4 days while symptoms persist on the King British Web info thingy, so that'll be Tuesday before I can give him any more..
Hi again guys, I'm ill it's now worse Just checked on him and thought yey he's going to the toilet - until he turned round and I realised it's coming out of his side :'( The stringy thing is now over an inch long (which is probably longer than him..) - I'm so worried he's so helpless bless him I've just put part of another press-on-glass food treat on the front of the tank to try and get him to eat (and take more pictures to show you) - it's awful, poor little thing was flicking against the gravel as if he was trying to get it off him. It's literally like he's going to the toilet out of his side - I'm sorry if I sound nuts but can that happen?? Also so sorry for yet another S.O.S - I don't know who else to shout out to? :'(

Poor guy, it’s definitely sounding less like fungus, the pictures are blurry which is to be expected but it definitely makes it harder to tell. Do you see anything worm like around in the tank? Maybe try adding Indian almond leaves (capatta leaves) as well as the aquarium salt you used just to boost his health and maybe help calm him down

 

There really aren't any parasites that look or act like that, I'm baffled as to what this is.

 

It's absolutely not worms guys I've had him in my hand to take a closer look : I've come to the conclusion that after the white fungus-y episode he's somehow started pooping out of the wound in his side :-( I've googled it to death when I didn't hear back from any1 after my last post and it does appear it's possible (rare but possible) - there was actually a question regarding a fish doing this on here from 2018 that popped up on my Google searches but I don't think the people on the post are active users anymore so I couldn't contact them. Thing is, he's keep interacting with me when I go to him and he's eating a little (he had some bloodworms last night) so he's still here. It's a nightmare, when I didn't get a reply I even considered paying for an online vet consultation but I don't know if they're properly kosher - with my luck I could be paying for a chat with a window cleaner! :'(

 

It's absolutely not worms guys I've had him in my hand to take a closer look : I've come to the conclusion that after the white fungus-y episode he's somehow started pooping out of the wound in his side :-( I've googled it to death when I didn't hear back from any1 after my last post and it does appear it's possible (rare but possible) - there was actually a question regarding a fish doing this on here from 2018 that popped up on my Google searches but I don't think the people on the post are active users anymore so I couldn't contact them. Thing is, he's keep interacting with me when I go to him and he's eating a little (he had some bloodworms last night) so he's still here. It's a nightmare, when I didn't get a reply I even considered paying for an online vet consultation but I don't know if they're properly kosher - with my luck I could be paying for a chat with a window cleaner! :'(

Hmm yeah that was an idea that popped in my head but I didn’t think it was likely. If that is what’s happening than I’m not sure it could be fixed without a surgery but you could try letting it heal on it’s own. Is there ever nothing hanging on his side? Or is there always so thing there?

 

Hmm yeah that was an idea that popped in my head but I didn’t think it was likely. If that is what’s happening than I’m not sure it could be fixed without a surgery but you could try letting it heal on it’s own. Is there ever nothing hanging on his side? Or is there always so thing there?

No that's the thing - it comes out then drops off (just like poop, just put of the wrong place) - when it first started i wondered but thought surely not, then it came off and happened again, and again... :-( I've got no idea how it's happened, but it has, so I guess I'm just going to have to try and care for him as best I can? He looks lonely in the hospital tank all by himself though, so I don't know what to do about that - it must be awful for him :'(

 

No that's the thing - it comes out then drops off (just like poop, just put of the wrong place) - when it first started i wondered but thought surely not, then it came off and happened again, and again... :-( I've got no idea how it's happened, but it has, so I guess I'm just going to have to try and care for him as best I can? He looks lonely in the hospital tank all by himself though, so I don't know what to do about that - it must be awful for him :'(

Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend keeping him with other fish but maybe you can get a mirror or set his tank next to his old tank maybe one of those will help, not sure. I’m not entirely sure how you could treat the issue since his waste is always going through so it would be hard for it to heal but definitely keep the water very clean, 2-3 weekly water changes and keep adding aquarium salt and or Indian almond leaves, or maybe even some Mopani driftwood. I wish I knew more ppl on here to tag someone but hopefully someone will chime in.

 

Ah I'm just grateful that you guys replied, I was demented dealing with it on my own! The hospital tank is in sight of the main tank but they're both in my kitchen so there's a cooking unit in between unfortunately. I might put a plant back in there now I've got all of the Methylene Blue out of the water though.. And yes I'm with you there, I've been doing thrice-weekly water changes on the hospital tank to make sure he's in perfect water - it's my 1st time using aquarium salt so I was worrying about that (hence the obsessive water changing too..) ;-) A mirror is a good idea - I feel so sorry for him on his own :-( Thanks so much for keep returning - I really appreciate it!