German Ram needs help!

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bluegopher

Asst. Jr. Undersec'y of Aquaria
Jul 20, 2004
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German Ram sick - please help!

Hi all. For the past several days, my male German Ram has not been himself. He hangs alone near the bottom and is not interested in food. There were no visible symptoms, other than perhaps poor color, until this morning. He appeared to have a small tumor-like lump on his forehead, beneath the skin. By this evening, the lump has increased in size, and there appear to be a couple of very small, white bumps on his head/face area.

This is a beautiful fish (one of a pair) and I am desperate for help. Any thoughts on what ails him, and how to treat?

The tank water specs are excellent (thanks to 40% changes religiously every week), and the tank has been established for 8 months. No new additions in past 3 months. The tank temp is 80F, and I maintain low concentration of salt in water (~1 Tbl/10gal).

Unfortunately, I have no quarantine tank, and it's not really an option.

Please help!
-bg
 
Last edited:

qtaquaman

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Dec 16, 2004
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Kind of sounds like hole in the head to me. I had a pair die of it a month apart. Treatmant opitions are limited and don't always work. If the white bumps run along the fishes lateral line and some pitting(holes) occurs where the bumps were then its hole in the head.
 

bluegopher

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Jul 20, 2004
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I did a bit of reading about HITH, and while it is possible, they symptoms don't seem to match the description very well. These bumps are definitely protruding, and the original larger bump is not white, like the newer/smaller ones.

I can't have everyone stumped - any other thoughts?
:sad
 

bluegopher

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bump...

Still swimming, but looking pretty bad.

Help please!?
 

Maj0rFiSh

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Jan 14, 2005
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Hole In The head Disease (HITH)

Symptoms

The main symptom of this disease is the small pits, mainly on the head, which give the disease its name. These are usually whitish in colour, and there may be yellowish mucus trailing from them. The fish may also stop feeding and become hollow bellied.

The disease affects mainly cichlids, particularly oscars and discus, but can also affect gouramies.
Causes

The disease is linked with a protozoan parasite, Hexamita (sometimes known as Octomitus). This may often be present at low levels in fish, but the acute infection does not occur unless factors like poor water quality or poor diet have an influence. Therefore, Hexamita alone may not be the primary cause, and good water quality and a varied diet should prevent this disease occuring.
Possible cures

The fish can be treated by isolating to a separate tank and adding either Dimetridazole (5 mg/litre) or Metronidazole (7 mg/litre). In some countries (including the UK), these are only likely to be available via veterinary prescription. The treatment will probably need to be repeated a few days apart, with a 20-30% water change between each treatment. Medicated food is useful for treatment, but this can be problematic if the fish is not feeding. Direct injection near the affected area is likely to prove very effective, but should only be attempted by an appropriately qualified person. In the UK, Waterlife Octozin may also be used for HITH disease.
 

beviking

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Lymphocystis, Furunculosis? Try a search and see if these match... :confused:
 

Maj0rFiSh

L33t 5p34k m0f0!!11one
Jan 14, 2005
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Lymphocystis Disease

Lymphocystis is a common, chronic and benign infection caused by an iridovirus that results in uniquely hypertrophied cells, typically in the skin and fins of only the more advanced orders of fishes.

Signs and pathologic changes

Lymphocystis is a terminal infection of individual cells, and the effect on the host is generally slight. The virus is typically dermatotropic and superficial; the condition is much like that of warts, in that the lesions are macroscopic and occur mostly at the periphery of the vascular system.
Behaviour Infected fish behave normally but extensive growths can slightly affect swimming. Among fish in confinement, and conceivably in the wild, the protruding clusters of cells lead to aggression and cannibalization of the lesions.

External signs

Cauliflower-like lesions on body surface, including mouth region, fin and tail region Host and geographic range
Occurs in freshwater and marine species. Global distribution – Europe, British Isles, North America, Australia, Africa, Central Amercia, Japan.
Susceptible species include herrings, smelts, batfishes, killifishes, scorpion fishes, basses, sea basses, sunfishes, perches, snappers, drums, goatfishes, scats, butterfly fishes, cichlids, damselfishes, wrasses, gobies, rabbitfishes, flounders, porcupine fishes, etc. Occurrence of lymphocystis in Asia:
Reported among ornamental fish (Scatophagus argus), pond-cage cultured seabass (Lates calcalifer), grouper fingerling in Thailand; wild snakehead in the Philippines.

Control/Treatment:

No known method of therapy or immunization.
Avoidance – is the universal control measure; infected fish should be removed from population; improve water quality; stocking density should be decreased because transmission is through direct contact.
 

Maj0rFiSh

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Jan 14, 2005
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Furunculosis

A bacterial disease of salmonids that is usually characterized by boils or furuncles on the skin of affected fish although this is not always the case. The causative agent is the bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida. Furunculosis is systemic in nature as it travels through the bloodstream and affects all parts of the body, especially the vital organs. The rapid multiplication of bacteria in the bloodstream causes smaller blood vessels to rupture allowing the bacteria to spread to surrounding tissue. When allowed to advance to this stage, the disease is always fatal.

Furunculosis is endemic in a number of Michigan waters but is not generally a problem in nature. In crowded hatchery settings, the disease can cause high mortalities if not recognized and treated at its onset.

Medicated feed containing the antibiotic Terramycin or Romet are often effective in treating furunculosis.
 

beviking

Senior Member, Sophomoric Attitude
Feb 16, 2002
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Look at the "Disease Dictionary" we have! Go Maj0rFiSh, go Maj0rFiSh... :dance
 

Maj0rFiSh

L33t 5p34k m0f0!!11one
Jan 14, 2005
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Hehe, hope that was enough info on what you wanted to know mate.
 
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