lump on left side

[dermotfix]

Thanks everyone.
I was thinking along the same lines.
I might be crazy but I think it originally sprung up out of nowhere, all of a sudden.
Its very weird and I hoped to find some miracle cure.
I can't imagine what it is or why it happened.
Some days I think maybe it shrunk a bit then the next it looks about to pop.
And I haven't seen a bubble nest since this appeared.
I wonder if some kind of steroid could be effective?
Thanks for being so helpful.

[callistra]

Other than the lump he is very skinny. He shouldn't be on what you're feeding. I would suspect internal parasite infection. What does his poop look like?

I would do a large 50% water change now and I would up your water changes to between 25-50% weekly. There's more to water changes than what you can test.

In the meantime get him into some epsom salts - 1 tsp per gallon predissolved and added slowly over an hour. They will cause a drop in your ph. How much depends on how soft your water is and with a ph of 7.4 it's pretty soft. You can treat in the tank or use a hospital tank (make sure you can keep it warm). It won't hurt anything just be aware it's like aquarium salt in that it won't leave the tank without water changes. However, it will not hurt him at all to stay in it long term. Some people say forever but weeks into month+ are certainly safe.

[dermotfix]

ok
that sounds like a plan.
I'll do that tonight (unless anyone strongly objects).
I bought epson salts when this first happened but decided against it in case of stress.
Is it supposed to hopefully suck some of the water out of the tumor?

[dermotfix]

I'm not sure about the poop.
I never seem to see it

[callistra]

The epsom salts help with swelling, yes.

It might be worth it at this point to QT him (2 gallon acrylic bowl half full works well) and float in main tank for warmth (unless you already have an established QT then of course you can use that). You can put some plants in there for him to float on since he probably needs that right now but leave it bare bottomed so you can see poop. I hate to treat for parasites if he doesn't need it but it would seem like a good bet. I would like to confirm.

[dermotfix]

hmm I treated with praziquantel back in Oct but it didn't do anything.
I thought that would kill any parasites.

[callistra]

How long did you treat for? In my experience with this med it is only somewhat effective (unless you fed it?) on internal parasites and treatment takes a minimum of 3 weeks. 4+ is more common.

[dermotfix]

Well, I used prazi-pro and followed the instructions.
I think I gave it a week in the tank then resumed water changes.

[callistra]

Yeah that wouldn't have fixed anything internal so we don't know

So have you seen any poop?

[dermotfix]

Really? Is that true?
Dammit!
I wish I knew how to properly him treat back then.
So what is supposed to happen when used as directed?
Is that just as preventative?

I'm afraid I haven't been able to see poop.
I have never moved him since I put him in his tank and I am kind of afraid to stress him.
But maybe I can do it without using a net ... just slip the bowl under him?

I want to do as much as I can to improve the water.
The thing I regret most is not vacuuming and I am trying to come up with an easier way to do this. I intend to start vacuuming with a water pump with a filter bag to filter the nasty stuff out.
Maybe this would do the job.

I will go ahead with the epson salts and pick up a bowl to QT him for poop inspection. He is alone in a 10g tank so I could feasibly put the 1g bowl inside it.