I wasn't sure if I should make a new thread or add to this one.....I have some developments with Jellybean's bump, and I am afraid they are not so good.
1) Ammonia: 0, Nitrite: 0, Nitrate: between 0 and 5, sg: 1.018, pH: 8.3
2) 75 gallon tank, 2 GSPs (one is about 3 inches, Jellybean is about 2 inches)
3) Feeding: 7 days, mysis shrimp, bloodworms, small clams on half shell, crab (not live), squid, shrimp, scallop and fresh snails from established freshwater tank. Occasionally frozen (thawed) peas. I have been feeding more this past year because of concerns that they may not have been growing as much as might be "normal" based on others' experiences. Water change every Saturday (30%), I use Prime, and instant ocean salt. I have been treating the food with tetra parasite guard tabs (1/2 tab each feeding) for past 2 weeks (praziquantel, diflubenzeron, metronidazole).
4) Changes in last week: additional water change on Wednesday (20 gallons), water change today (30 gallons).
5) Aquarium was set up in Michigan in 2010, emergency fish-less cycled (thanks to you guys!!), then moved to St. Charles Illinois in December 2012 (five hour drive), then moved again in June 2013 (four block move). The moves have gone well, mini-cycle occurred over 2 days after move in December. No fatalities in either tank
After initially posting about Beanie's bump (above), I added Melafix and the bump went away (it appeared to have a "cycle," almost like a pimple, where it turned whitish, then appeared to break through the skin, the skin healed and everything looked fine.) The bump came back for a period of several months in mid-2012, and now it has been coming back again, always on his left side, somewhere in the area behind his eye. The bump does not come back in exactly the same place. It always has a "cycle" where it begins under the skin, then breaks the skin (over the course of approx. 1-2 weeks). It is never pinkish or red. It may go away for a few days, then come back (not in the same place). Jellybean has some scarring from this having occurred repeatedly over the course of the last year or so.
I am particularly worried because the most recent "bump" appeared on his gill cover (on his left side, not far from other places the bump has been). Jahdio, our other puffer, has never had any bumps. However, he has started to have stringy white poop (starting about 2 weeks ago) and I am now treating their food with the parasite guard.
When I started treating the food, Jellybean became lethargic for approx. 2-4 days, appeared to me to be slightly bloated, then he was fine again. He is still behaving normally, eating fine. Another unusual thing is that he has not grown very much over the past year at all. The other puffer has gotten bigger, but Jellybean has not (at least, not markedly so). Both have fat, happy-looking white bellies. One other difference between the two is that Jellybean sometimes appears to sometimes spit his food out and eat it again. His teeth are not long, he does eat, and he doesn't spit out every mouthful. The other puffer does not do this. I try to feed them separately by distracting Jahdio so that Jellybean has time to eat (it takes him longer).
Because the bump has transitioned to different places, I thought it could be a nematode based on descriptions here, however the fact that this has a strange "cycle" to it makes me curious and worried, as does the fact that he has had this since 2011 at least.
I feel bad I only post when something is wrong! (I haven't had internet for 2 years). Other than dealing with Jellybean's bump, everyone has been pretty happy! I am eternally grateful to this forum for the wonderful advice I got when we first got these guys home, and my only goal is to see them live long healthy lives with us. My main questions are: 1) what do you think this could be; 2) can I treat it; 3) could it be contagious for my other puffer and 4) if it is untreatable, what steps should I take to make sure that he lives well?
