Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Today, his mouth seems full of white stuff again? Last time it was a lump of cockle, but He hasn't had cockle recently.Yesterday I could see the inside of his mouth, but today it is obscured by the white area? Also the small lump on the left of his lower jaw is there again. The MS222 should hopefully arrive tomorrow & I will be able to anaesthetise him properly. Oh, & just seen a gorgeous porcupine puffer at LFS - about 3" long!
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
I have Melafix & Pimafix. Should I start treatment with these regardless of whether I know what is going on with his mouth? I read that it is good for use when handling fish or when they are at risk of getting stressed.
-
Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
It never hurts to add those. At least Melafix at this point.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Well, I have completely f****d that up 
! I have used the MS222 to anaesthetise him, which for some reason was much more difficult than with clove oil. I had all my equipment laid out & a recovery container for afterwards. The lump of white stuff in his mouth WAS food again, so that was easily removed. However, in trying to trim his teeth right at the back, I have made him bleed in the corners of his gums. I think I also may have cut his nose area. His bottom left tooth is loose & I think that is why he has the lump on the outside (abscess) I lanced this with a needle & white stuff came out. He has now been returned to his normal tank, with the lights off. He is swimming around, but I feel I may have done more harm than good. I feel very upset & a bit tearful now 
, especially as it does not seem to have made a difference to his mouth, which is still not closed properly. I have added Melafix. Is there ANYTHING else I can/should do?
! I have used the MS222 to anaesthetise him, which for some reason was much more difficult than with clove oil. I had all my equipment laid out & a recovery container for afterwards. The lump of white stuff in his mouth WAS food again, so that was easily removed. However, in trying to trim his teeth right at the back, I have made him bleed in the corners of his gums. I think I also may have cut his nose area. His bottom left tooth is loose & I think that is why he has the lump on the outside (abscess) I lanced this with a needle & white stuff came out. He has now been returned to his normal tank, with the lights off. He is swimming around, but I feel I may have done more harm than good. I feel very upset & a bit tearful now , especially as it does not seem to have made a difference to his mouth, which is still not closed properly. I have added Melafix. Is there ANYTHING else I can/should do?-
Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
It's ok, I cut my poor SAPs lip right off my 1st attempt at trimming teeth.
He healed up just fine. Maybe his mouth just hurts? Definately add Melafix & be sure his water is pristine. Is he ok from the tranq?
He healed up just fine. Maybe his mouth just hurts? Definately add Melafix & be sure his water is pristine. Is he ok from the tranq?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
He seems fine & is swimming ok - just a bit reluctant to come to the front of the tank to see me now! He has however just eaten some brine shrimp & his appetite is good. I did a big water change yesterday & will do a small one again tomorrow, when he is more settled. I will keep you posted, but fingers crossed for now.
-
LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Good appetite is always, always a good sign!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Well, he is back to normal this evening - swimming around & begging for food 
. Still can't close his mouth though. Will have to continue feeding smaller, softer foods as he can't manage to crunch snails etc. He looks funny though, not having such visible teeth!
. Still can't close his mouth though. Will have to continue feeding smaller, softer foods as he can't manage to crunch snails etc. He looks funny though, not having such visible teeth!-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Its been a few days since I anaesthetised him, & he has made a full recovery, regarding the anaesthetic & damage to his mouth/lips/fins/abscess/pride! I am still putting in the melafix & will do for a few more days, then do a water change. The abscess still has a little discharge, but nothing much. He loves me again & is always begging for food. BUT, his mouth is still not closing? He is able to eat foods that are soft, or I have to crush snails etc, so that he can manage them. ANY suggestions? I think this may be as good as he gets tho. I have saved about £400-£500 to spend on a whole new set-up for him, so want him as healthy as possible before I start any transition.
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
He's really trying to crunch up the snails - I can see his little mouth working, but the snails eventually get spat out whole - or the smaller ones just swallowed down. I guess I'll just persevere & crush them a little.
-
Nick
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 3231
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:47 pm
- My Puffers: Mine:
GSPs - Shakespeare and Jillybean
F8 - Velvet
My fiance:
DP - Emma Goldman
Narrow Lined Puffer - Ulrike - Location (country): Northeastern USA
- Location: Middletown, CT
- Contact:
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
If he has a loose tooth, perhaps closing his mouth on it hurts, so he holds it open?
No matter how magnificent your successes or devastating your failures, the worlds' approximately 5 billion impoverished people could not possibly care less.
-
Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32976
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Crushed snails will still be good food.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
Think Nick must be right - although he doesn't exactly exhibit any signs of pain. Will keep going with the snails, crushed a little. Thanks for everyones help. I will keep you posted as to how he does.
-
t1gerbee
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 831
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:10 am
- My Puffers: 1 x Ceylon + 1 x GSP + 1 x stars and stripes (juv) -Marine
(Non puffs-)
4 x clowns
1 x Oscar-Tropical
3 x Convicts-Tropical
1 x Map Turtle-tropical
2 x Plecs-Tropical
2 x goldfish - Location: london
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
well done on getting him to 10 years old!! And well done for working hard to get his teeth sorted.
I'm wondering if his mouth has been stuck open for so long now it may have sort of set... the jaw somehow set together.
If you've got his teeth alot shorter it may just take time for him to be able to use his jaw again, or he may always be stuck...
as long as he can eat there is hope.
Try shell on prawn... he may find it easier to eat and still get a little crunch, but you may have to manually trim his teeth every six months or so if you cant get him crunching tougher foods...
are you going to take him up to brackish... 2 inches after 9/10 years... ? Not great is it, given their adult size is 6+ inches...
think he deserves to be in brackish now, with marine salt, but no more that a small rise per week, 0.002 at most.
I'm wondering if his mouth has been stuck open for so long now it may have sort of set... the jaw somehow set together.
If you've got his teeth alot shorter it may just take time for him to be able to use his jaw again, or he may always be stuck...
as long as he can eat there is hope.
Try shell on prawn... he may find it easier to eat and still get a little crunch, but you may have to manually trim his teeth every six months or so if you cant get him crunching tougher foods...
are you going to take him up to brackish... 2 inches after 9/10 years... ? Not great is it, given their adult size is 6+ inches...
think he deserves to be in brackish now, with marine salt, but no more that a small rise per week, 0.002 at most.
1 x 90G Juv stars and stripes puffer, Ceylon Puffer + GSP + 2 black clowns
1 x 30G LPS Reef
1 x 30G 1 x Blind goldfish
1 x 30G LPS Reef
1 x 30G 1 x Blind goldfish
-
bigfatfish
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 938
- Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:33 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: GSP "Puffy" RIP old friend 1999-2009
GSPs "Flash" & "Lionel" - in a 55 UK Gallon Bow front Marine Tank with sump. - Location (country): United Kingdom
- Location: Devon, UK
Re: Tumour vs Abscess in GSP
He does seem to move his jaw when trying to crunch, just seems to swim around with it open. He is probably more like 3" (having now seen him several times out of the water, but I agree, still small. When I got him, I really had no idea about GSP (just thought he was cute). LFS had him in FW & said he would live for about 5/6yrs. Its only recently that I have started reading up on them. I have been to look at a 4' tank for him today, so if I get it, I MUST get him into BW (PP suggested going full marine). Whatever I do from now, rest assured, that it will be in his best interests. Boy, have I got some reading to do about changing to BW!