Bumps/Lumps on Forktail Fang Blenny’s underside

[lulubap]

Hello,

I just came home from school and was going to feed my fang blenny, when I noticed some lumps on where his belly is.

I’ve seen other posters comment on this, but have seen mixed responses as to what it is.

I’m currently testing parameters; the tank is overdue for a water change, but he’s been fine under similar circumstances. I’m going to water change today.

Tank mates are an elongate dottyback and ruby red dragonet.

He usually eats very voraciously, as he’s the only one who eats food in the water column.

I recently switched him over from LRS nano frenzy to a mix of LRS but mainly Rod’s classic blend.

I noticed, as mentioned by other posters, that he didn’t eat as much today.

Please let me know if any other info is needed. Thank you.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I've seen this before in some fish. Common idea is that it is a result of some blockage in its intestines. In some fish, that is from swallowing gravel/sand/ Unlikely to be the case with this fish though. Let's see what others think #fishmedic

Jay

 

[lulubap]

I've seen this before in some fish. Common idea is that it is a result of some blockage in its intestines. In some fish, that is from swallowing gravel/sand/ Unlikely to be the case with this fish though. Let's see what others think #fishmedic

Jay

I’m assuming it’s similar to constipation as I’ve seen in other posts… If others agree, should I wait for nature to take its course or help stimulate it with certain foods?

 

[lulubap]

Nitrite- 0-0.05
Nitrate: ~50 (absolutely doing a water change today)

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’m assuming it’s similar to constipation as I’ve seen in other posts… If others agree, should I wait for nature to take its course or help stimulate it with certain foods?

If the blenny is eating gelatin diet, you can mix up a food with 1% epsom salts in and and that acts as a purgative.

I find that frozen brine shrimp, although nutritionally poor, and shouldn't be fed very often, can have a purgative effect as well.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have seen brine shrimp as an effective laxative

 

[lulubap]

I have seen brine shrimp as an effective laxative

Is there a specific kind of brine shrimp , or any form (frozen, live, baby, adult) as long as it’s artemia salina ?

 

[lulubap]

If the blenny is eating gelatin diet, you can mix up a food with 1% epsom salts in and and that acts as a purgative.

I find that frozen brine shrimp, although nutritionally poor, and shouldn't be fed very often, can have a purgative effect as well.

Jay

Thank you!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is there a specific kind of brine shrimp , or any form (frozen, live, baby, adult) as long as it’s artemia salina ?

any form

 

[MnFish1]

@Jay Hemdal Since you asked - Well I guess I could go through the old differential diagnosis algorithm:
1. Toxic: No
2. Infectious: Parasites causing consitpation
3. Neoplastic: Could be a tumor - which would be more slowly growing (I don't know the details here)
4. Hematologic: No.
5. Endocrine: No.
6. Metabolic: Not that I would know of in fish
7. Psychiatric (we can skip that lol)
8. Vascular, idiopathy, Other. IDK except diet causing constipation. Or sand etc. Possible injury during collection an odd cloacal or swim bladder issue.

To me the fish looks thin - and unhealthy in general in at least some of the pictures. Based on the information given - it could also be a fish experiencing 'old-age' and failure to thrive.

 

[lulubap]

@Jay Hemdal Since you asked - Well I guess I could go through the old differential diagnosis algorithm:
1. Toxic: No
2. Infectious: Parasites causing consitpation
3. Neoplastic: Could be a tumor - which would be more slowly growing (I don't know the details here)
4. Hematologic: No.
5. Endocrine: No.
6. Metabolic: Not that I would know of in fish
7. Psychiatric (we can skip that lol)
8. Vascular, idiopathy, Other. IDK except diet causing constipation. Or sand etc. Possible injury during collection an odd cloacal or swim bladder issue.

To me the fish looks thin - and unhealthy in general in at least some of the pictures. Based on the information given - it could also be a fish experiencing 'old-age' and failure to thrive.

I bought him with a pinched stomach and was feeding him 1-2 times daily. He looked a lot healthier before this….i wish i had a picture. But I have been getting forgetful with feeding lately, so i’ll be sure to put *myself* on a stricter schedule.

 

[lulubap]

@Jay Hemdal Since you asked - Well I guess I could go through the old differential diagnosis algorithm:
1. Toxic: No
2. Infectious: Parasites causing consitpation
3. Neoplastic: Could be a tumor - which would be more slowly growing (I don't know the details here)
4. Hematologic: No.
5. Endocrine: No.
6. Metabolic: Not that I would know of in fish
7. Psychiatric (we can skip that lol)
8. Vascular, idiopathy, Other. IDK except diet causing constipation. Or sand etc. Possible injury during collection an odd cloacal or swim bladder issue.

To me the fish looks thin - and unhealthy in general in at least some of the pictures. Based on the information given - it could also be a fish experiencing 'old-age' and failure to thrive.

Is there any information you need to make a clearer diagnosis? Or would you also suggest I try laxative-adjacent foods?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is there any information you need to make a clearer diagnosis? Or would you also suggest I try laxative-adjacent foods?

While there are foods that serve as a laxative- there is no specific laxatives. Fish is thin and either getting wrong foods, constipated or ,,,,,,

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Is there a specific kind of brine shrimp , or any form (frozen, live, baby, adult) as long as it’s artemia salina ?

Frozen adult brine is what I would try.
Jay

 

[lulubap]

While there are foods that serve as a laxative- there is no specific laxatives. Fish is thin and either getting wrong foods, constipated or ,,,,,,

he’s been taking to LRS and Rods classic, this is what he looked like before .. unless this isn’t what he should be looking like in healthy condition. i’ve bought some brine shrimp to try out for him , fingers crossed

 

[vetteguy53081]

he’s been taking to LRS and Rods classic, this is what he looked like before .. unless this isn’t what he should be looking like in healthy condition. i’ve bought some brine shrimp to try out for him , fingers crossed

Should be uniformly filled. Belly is a little sunken in but eating is a good sign

 

[lulubap]

update: he took to the brine happily. not sure if this will be the same case tomorrow, but hopefully he gets his fill for today and tomorrow until i decide to switch him back and forth between an LRS-brine mix and just LRS so as to not feed him brine too heavily