The Puffer Forum

Ok,

I noticed a small red spot on the chin of my puffer, Bob, about a week and a half ago. Bob has a problem with getting pretty long teeth, so I was on a mission to find my clove oil, with no success. So today I went out and bought a new bottle as I assumed it was his teeth poking down into his bottom lip/chin area... But when we took him out and got ready to clip his teeth, we realized it was not his teeth at all, but a growth! I have no idea what to think of it, or what it is/how to fix it.... Hubby is trying to get a picture right now so I can show you all... I am so upset as I have had Bob for almost three years, he is my oldest little guy! It does seem to be affecting the way he is eating... He cannot open his mouth as far as he used to... I am curious, as he is known for a fast growing beak... could it have gotten so long that it broke off and got stuck in his chin and got infected? It has been about 6 months since I last clipped it. He is not showing any signs of distress, though, which is why I did not think anything of it. I will get a pic up asap!

BTW, Bob is the sweet little figure eight in the bottom right hand corner of my siggie!

Ok, forgot to put params

Ph 7.8
Am 0
Ni 0
Na 0
SG 1.008

Seriously, no one has seen anything like this before? I can't believe that I am the only one that has had this problem... Anyone?

I have never seen anything like that.

Ouch! It doesn't look comfortable, that's for sure!

Does it ever move or is it always in teh same spot/shape?

It might be a tumor of some sort.

Any changes since you've first noticed it?

It does not ever move or change color, it seems to be the same size it was at the time of my first post. He is still not showing any sign of distress, but Bob is a very laid back puff, I don't remember him ever being sick or upset or having anything but a bright coloration... I am thinking it is a tumor, I am sure it is not a parasite, I have not added any fish to that tank for about a year, actually... Anyone know what you are supposed to do for a tumor?? I was wondering, if it got too big if I could take it off somehow, that is if it gets in the way of him eating at any time. I guess I just have to watch and see...

Hey,

My GSP has the exact same thing, literally came up over Friday night, Saturday morning he looked as if he'd been in a fight.
Same age as Bob, tip top condition, only his bump is slightly to one side. Hasn't affected his eating or routine, no changes to his tank.
Really odd? You found any solution yet?
Does Pufferpunk not have any ideas? He's helped me out with Weeman before, main reason I visited the site, I was hoping I'd find a simple solution????!!!!!

Kate.

I have been folowing this but if it is a tumor, there is nothing to do but keep the water clean & the puffer happy & healthy w/good foods. Sometimes it can just be a cyst & will reabsorb. Let's hope...

I'd be more inclined to think it was a cyst, a tumor wouldn't come up over night, would it??

Could it be some kind of infection in the jaw? I had many of these before I had my wisdom teeth taken out!!

Thanks for the reply Pufferpunk, I'll update with any changes to weeman, it's a bit of a strange one!!!

Hmm.. interesting to hear that someone else has the same problem. Can you get a pic of it, perhaps then we can see if it is the same, and if it is, maybe with your additional info on fish and tank we can sort it out. And it's funny, I swear he is eating more than he ever did now, maybe this "cyst" is making him hungry. I have not seen any problems with the other two figure eights he is currently housed with, so I think I can rule out anything contagious. I don't think it is an infection as it has not grown/changed and he is not darkening or changing his routine at all. I guess we will just have to watch our little guys and update on any changes. (Lucky that it is not as bad as I first feared, I thought he was going to die, but that was two weeks ago and he seems great, it could be a worse situation) Thanks to PP, Myaj and Strike2 for your replies!

Okie Dokie... Bob's "growth" has changed. It now has little white "balls?" in it? See pics. He is still not showing any signs of distress, but I am beginning to worry that it might be something like a parasite (maybe the "balls" are eggs? ) I am thinking of putting him in a 15 gallon tupperware container as my other tank is QTing GSPs right now... Can I put my 30 gallon HOB filter on this container, or would I be better just giving him an airstone and doing lots of water changes? I hate to leave him in with his tankmates for fear it is some sort of parasite. Also, what the heck kind of parasite could it be?? I am at a loss for what to think about this thing. Tell me what you guys think it might be, or what kind of action I should take as far as QT, meds, etc. Thanks!

Looks like it's ready to pop. Can you try squeezing it (maybe tranq w/clove oil)?

oooh a puffer zit!

ewwwwwwwwwww

Pandora114 wrote:oooh a puffer zit!

ewwwwwwwwwww

lol.

Weeman's has popped!!!!!

The white bits Bob has, Weeman had, but inside his mouth, only one, between his gum and lip?!
I've tried to get a photo, but he's the most camera shy fish I've ever come across!
I can't even give you any info on how and why this thing went down, as I've been away for a week, my sister has been feeding him and said there has been no change in the bump or his behavior, when I arrived home last night I went straight to the tank to see him and the swelling had reduced dramatically and at the roundest point of where the bump had been was a tiny round cut, almost like he had knocked the top off a large spot!!
This morning the swelling has almost disappeared and the abrasion is healing well.
This all brings me back to my original thought of an abscess in his lower jaw, they have teeth and a jaw bone so it could be possible they develop small infections similar to us humans.
I did nothing other than an extra water change after the first week. I wouldn't try squeezing or putting any pressure on it, you could do more harm than good? I would get him out and have a look though?