Harlequin Rasbora with tumor?

**nlm2889** · 27th Dec 2009, 02:24

Over the past 2 weeks one of my Harlequins developed a red bulge on (I think her) stomach just under her right pectoral fin. There are several of my Harlequins that have full-looking stomachs, but none (save this specific fish) have acted oddly or looked unhealthy. It got to the point where this bulge was bright red, and it didn't appear to have any scales on it. Today I woke to find the fish dead, the portion where the bulge had been was open showing the abdominal cavity (which was empty). Any ideas on what it could be? Should I be worried about it spreading?

**eviltrain** · 27th Dec 2009, 02:47

Sorry, it just sounds like Alien invaded your tank

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Maybe you keep a look out with the rest of our shrimp. It can be even an isolated case.

**stormhawk** · 27th Dec 2009, 06:21

What's the rest of our shrimp eviltrain?

nlm2889, keep a look out on your other surviving fish. It sounds like a bacterial sore or some parasitic infection. Did you add in any new fish recently, and what are you feeding your fish with?

**nlm2889** · 27th Dec 2009, 10:48

About 2 weeks ago I added 3 more Zebra Danios and 2 more young Harlequins. I noticed a few minutes ago that the 2 adult Danios have a small white lump on the bottom of their lips. The lumps didn't have any fuzz or anything like that, just little white lumps. Perhaps it's related to the death? I'm currently just feeding the fish tropical flakes with the occasional blanched broccoli bits and shrimp bits. Thank you for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

**stormhawk** · 27th Dec 2009, 14:17

The lump on the danio's lips can be the start of mouth "fungus". In any case, do keep an eye out on the remaining fish. Should they develop any other symptoms similar to what happened to the dead harlequin, I would suggest that you take out all the fish and place them in a separate hospital tank and use a weak solution of potassium permanganate to "bomb" the tank. Follow up with a 100% water change if you can to clear out the PP. You might want to consider vacuuming your gravel as well.

**eviltrain** · 27th Dec 2009, 15:35

Sorry, i mean the rest of the fishes

**nlm2889** · 27th Dec 2009, 15:52

Well, after work tonight I studied my fish for a bit and several show the white bits on their mouth. I decided to go ahead with a full dose of Melafix (it's all I had on hand, I bought it for a betta with finrot.....that went over well (not)....). It's frustrated being new to a hobby. On monday I'm going to my LFS and purchasing both a gravel vacuum and a test kit. Since mouth 'fungus' is a bacterial problem do you think Melafix will be effective?

**stormhawk** · 28th Dec 2009, 01:52

That depends on whether Melafix works with bacterial infections. I never used Melafix before, so I can't comment.

Keeping the tank clean usually keeps diseases at bay. Get a test kit and see if you have any issues with ammonia/nitrite/nitrate.

**nlm2889** · 28th Dec 2009, 12:16

On the bottle Melafix states it's an anti-bacterial product, so I'm praying it'll work. Thank you for all of your help! If anything happens I'll post it. Thanks again!