X3NiTH
Member
- Joined
- 13 Apr 2014
- Messages
- 1,644
This is the Nights King (don't usually name fish but somehow this fits), had him for over a month now and he has a progressive cutaneous growth that initially was just a blue lumpy smudge near the base of the dorsal (there is a corresponding blue dot on the other side but no lumpiness). It grew progressively larger in a little over a week so I took the 2 pics below, 19th April.
This is a closeup of the above pic.
Meds dosed to the tank (not all at the same time) as precautionary measures have been Waterlife Protozin to deal with any fungal disease, Fenbendazole to treat for any parasitic infection and eSHa Hexamita. As of the 7th May the progression of the growth can be seen.
On the 11th there was noted to be an injury to the growth which periodically caused the fish some discomfort. Sole occupant of a tank that is well planted and where there is some hardscape at the water level that he as been able to swim over to get to behind a large sponge, likely cause of the injury.
The pic below is directly lit from the front through the glass as opposed to the above pics shooting down into the water column from above the tank, slightly different definition in appearance.
After a few days in another tank (10L Dennerle Nano, sterilised in the dish washer on high heat before use) bare of hardscape bar a small filter (new, never used in a tank beforehand), heater (new) and a large Anubias Longifloria for cover, this is how the growth now appears today 15th May, the wound has healed but there has been no regression in size, no longer in discomfort, is sufficiently mobile for a Betta and typically is still eating like a pig (thankfully). Front lit again, excuse the scratched glass.
Lit from above and behind to let light come through the flesh of the fish you can see that the growth appears to be cutaneous only.
If anything the growth appears to be increasing encapsulation of the surrounding scales.
Again showing appearance of cutaneous growth only and originating from just in front and below the dorsal.
I'm not in a position to be able to conduct microscopy or histopathology on this growth for a definitive answer as to what it could be. Could it possibly be an Iridiphore tumour due to the corresponding blue spot on the left lateral in the same front and below dorsal position, no idea, only histopathology could tell me that, whether it is benign or malignant would probably depend on how much invasion if there is any to the underlying tissue if only going by visual inspection.
Any thoughts or suggestions on a course of remedial action would be appreciated.
Unfortunately there will be no taking it to a local Vet who most likely doesn't specialise in small tropical fish surgery and I am most definitely not going to put the fish through the stress of transportation to a specialist which would likely reduce the chances of survival on a 50:50 outcome while costing me a kidney alongside an arm and a leg.
Choices are limited to leave this to get better/worse over time on its own or through meds, deal with immediately by blunt force trauma/Eugenol euthanasia or perform the surgery required. I'm inclined to go with the latter to at least give him a chance.
So in an effort to save the Nights King I am currently collecting the necessary supplies to be able to perform (competently) the surgery on this poor fella myself, anaesthesiology will be using Eugenol (studied papers on anaesthetic and for worst case outcome euthanising dose) and the procedure will be Dr Lohs' Betta surgery -
Hopefully I should have everything needed by the weekend and at some point later report back a positive outcome, still waiting on the Orahesive powder, Waterproof barrier film spray and a fine tipped cautery tool to arrive, the Eugenol I have is Bud derived so it's 90% concentration.
Apologies for the huge Images.
This is a closeup of the above pic.
Meds dosed to the tank (not all at the same time) as precautionary measures have been Waterlife Protozin to deal with any fungal disease, Fenbendazole to treat for any parasitic infection and eSHa Hexamita. As of the 7th May the progression of the growth can be seen.
On the 11th there was noted to be an injury to the growth which periodically caused the fish some discomfort. Sole occupant of a tank that is well planted and where there is some hardscape at the water level that he as been able to swim over to get to behind a large sponge, likely cause of the injury.
The pic below is directly lit from the front through the glass as opposed to the above pics shooting down into the water column from above the tank, slightly different definition in appearance.
After a few days in another tank (10L Dennerle Nano, sterilised in the dish washer on high heat before use) bare of hardscape bar a small filter (new, never used in a tank beforehand), heater (new) and a large Anubias Longifloria for cover, this is how the growth now appears today 15th May, the wound has healed but there has been no regression in size, no longer in discomfort, is sufficiently mobile for a Betta and typically is still eating like a pig (thankfully). Front lit again, excuse the scratched glass.
Lit from above and behind to let light come through the flesh of the fish you can see that the growth appears to be cutaneous only.
If anything the growth appears to be increasing encapsulation of the surrounding scales.
Again showing appearance of cutaneous growth only and originating from just in front and below the dorsal.
I'm not in a position to be able to conduct microscopy or histopathology on this growth for a definitive answer as to what it could be. Could it possibly be an Iridiphore tumour due to the corresponding blue spot on the left lateral in the same front and below dorsal position, no idea, only histopathology could tell me that, whether it is benign or malignant would probably depend on how much invasion if there is any to the underlying tissue if only going by visual inspection.
Any thoughts or suggestions on a course of remedial action would be appreciated.
Unfortunately there will be no taking it to a local Vet who most likely doesn't specialise in small tropical fish surgery and I am most definitely not going to put the fish through the stress of transportation to a specialist which would likely reduce the chances of survival on a 50:50 outcome while costing me a kidney alongside an arm and a leg.
Choices are limited to leave this to get better/worse over time on its own or through meds, deal with immediately by blunt force trauma/Eugenol euthanasia or perform the surgery required. I'm inclined to go with the latter to at least give him a chance.
So in an effort to save the Nights King I am currently collecting the necessary supplies to be able to perform (competently) the surgery on this poor fella myself, anaesthesiology will be using Eugenol (studied papers on anaesthetic and for worst case outcome euthanising dose) and the procedure will be Dr Lohs' Betta surgery -
Hopefully I should have everything needed by the weekend and at some point later report back a positive outcome, still waiting on the Orahesive powder, Waterproof barrier film spray and a fine tipped cautery tool to arrive, the Eugenol I have is Bud derived so it's 90% concentration.
Apologies for the huge Images.
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