my cichlid needs help

Question
I have a pink convict and a african cichlid, the other day I noticed a weird tumor like growth thing behind the pink ones fin. It's not on the gills but behind the fin, only on one side. Then tonight I was looking at them again and now I see what looks like the start of the same tumor looking thing on my other fish....I'm freaking out these fish are like my kids to me, please help me understand what this is or what I can do about it....Thank you so much for your time and effort.......Bryan

Answer
Hi Bryan,

I'm not your assigned Expert, however your question was sent to a question pool. Which, unfortunately, is very rarely staffed. So I've decided to man it for a couple of hours. I know, I am a noble gentleman!

right, your cichlids are POSSIBLY suffering from Nodular disease (Myxobolus sp. et al). This is a real nasty, your fish swallows spores which then mutate in the gut. The mutated ameoba then infect all the major organs in the body and reproduce. It's then that cysts appear on the exterior of the fish. Once the harbouring fish is no good, the cysts rupture and thousands of spores come rushing out, thus continuing the disease. Nasty, possibly even Scary, but VERY unlikely. I've never ever ever encountered it in an Aquarium environment, so wipe the sweat from your brow.

However, the other possible diagnosis is not good.

Tumours on the gills can be either benign or cancerous. Most tumours are incurable. However if you notice rapid thyroid growth then you need to call a vet.

Don't take this as gospel, without seeing the fish I can't be sure but from what you've described it sounds as if it is possibly tumours.

Tom