Cichlid has a lump on his belly

Question
My Cichlid has a large lump on one side of his belly.  I am wondering what
could it be and if there is anything I can do to help him?  He's still seems
pretty active, he's eating, but the lump is getting bigger.

Answer
Hi Roxana:  what kind of cichlid do you have?  Is the lump like a pimple??? or just a large bump? If its a tumor there is not much you can really do about it... in many cases tumors are a result of professional breeding and occur when breeders try to bring out specific traits in their fish.  If its a tumor just love your fish and enjoy the fact that he/she has an oddity.  Sometimes lumps can be from an infection that the fish gets from a wound... like from a bite or an abrasion from running into something sharp in the tank.  It could also be the result of a parasite... Some fish are also prone to intestinal blockages... Dropsy is a deadly internal infection where your fish literally swells up and looks like a pinecone... These are always difficult questions to answer because so much depends on what the fish's tumor actually looks like.  Keep your eye on the lump and see if it has any kind of opening or if it turns into a sore... if its a sore its treatable... however the outcome is never for certain.  A tumor has less option... so basically you become faced with the decision of what to do with the fish... if he is not suffering then just enjoy him. If you feel like the fish is suffering or if his quality of life is dropping... then you may have to have him put down.  Having a fish put down is very difficult but if  you end up in this boat then please contact a local aquarium... not a pet store and ask them if they can put your fish to sleep for you.  There is a solution that kills fish in a very peaceful way... Do not allow them to put him in a freezer...that is just cruel.  I am really sorry but I cannot remember the name of this solution.  If anyone knows what im talking about please let me know.  I suspect your fish has a tumor and it sounds like for now he is just going to live his life... If I can be of anymore help please let me know. I will do for you what I can... Dave