Melanochromis With a Big White Spot on Face

[CichlidKen]

Hello, I’m Ken. I have a Melanochromis with a big white spot on the face (see pic). He’s had this about 10 days, still eating very well, and it’s getting bigger. Does anyone know what this is, and how to cure it ?? Thank you for any replies. Ken

 

[OB Guy]

I'm not seeing a white spot in the picture but I do see what appears to be a pinkish tumor just above the fishes mouth.

 

[CichlidKen]

That’s it, the resolution on the download isn’t that great. The pic I posted was from last Saturday. Here’s another pic, also not great. I think the thing has gotten bigger

 

[CichlidKen]

The “tumor” is white on the outside and pink on the inside. He hides in the sunken ship all the time, and only comes out to eat. And he still has a good appetite.

 

[OB Guy]

Is there any other fish in the aquarium? If so any signs of problems with them? It's hard to say what it is but seeing how the fish is still eating I'd try Seachem KanaPlex and Focus as a binder mixed with food. It wouldn't hurt to treat the tank with Furan-2 at the same time. If it is a tumor there's a good possibility medications aren't going to help.

 

[CichlidKen]

Thanks, OB Guy. There are 15 other Cichlids and 1 Pleco in the tank, none of which are showing any signs. We are afraid it is some kind of tumor. We thought about putting him in quarantine, but he’s really hard to catch without stressing out him and all the other fish, too.

 

[OB Guy]

Your best bet would be put the fish in a quarantine tank for the treatment seeing how no other fish are showing signs of being sick. But you can do the treatment in the tank the fish are in now.