Possible Tumour Goldfish

Question
Hi chris

Wondering if you can help

Firstly 3 goldfish, in 5 foot tank, grown from babies from a fair , largest and the problem one is 9 inches long approx 2 inches wide. yes shes a big chunk of fish

Tank capacity 180 litres , with fluzal x5 filtration - installed 6 weeks ago : standard mechanical filter with 5 carbon and fine filter.

Water is crystal and have 4 air discs for airation, no snails /plants / std gravel

Smallest of fish, cotton wall and sores around mouth, tried everything to fix her nothing got rid of the problem , but some eased the symptons , eating and seemed happy but uncomfortable around the gills, bought new fluzal, still no better, diagnosed with research - possible internal bacteria after the sides of her mouth went quite red an swollen, treated with interpet , internal baceteria over two week period. Cured -

11 Days later - largest fish has a 4 mm swollen lump above her fins on right side approx two inches from her front - probably a shoulder in human term

not pushing the gills out in one spot, but a general large lump easing the gills , so the white is more visiable.

She has a habit of banging the side of the tank if she is startled , obviously we dont startle intentionally.

Tumour or swelling ?

I dont know if fish actually swell if the collide with something.

3 girls in all , approx 6 years old

All are eating well, swimming ok, none look disturded

Change the water , approx 2-3 weeks , normally 10% to 15% but due to medicines to treating the smallest ( 7 inches long)have changed 25%

Have not checked nitrates recently, but will be doing

Suggestions ??????

All three fish have always lived together

Answer
Hi William;

I think they just need water changes more often. With a lot of organic waste in there from their large size, the nitrate level is probably very high and causing immune system problems. All tanks need a 25% water change once a week every week. Vacuum the gravel at the same time. It would be great if you could change 25% every day for a few days to help it get in shape, and then once a week after that. Hopefully the fresh water will boost the immune systems and your fish can fight off whatever they have on her own. Redness usually does indicate bacterial infection so if treatment is needed again it should be more successful with the additional water changes. Lumps can be many things such as tumors, abscesses or cysts. Just keeping the water more clean is about all you can do on your own. If there is internal infection it calls for either medicated food or injections by a vet. Goldfish are just too large to treat internal infection with medication in the water.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins