My Cory catfish has a gill bubble. What could it be and what to do?

Thanks for reaching out about Chachito and including a photo. This doesn't appear to be a bubble but a mass (possible tumor). A veterinary visit is needed to determine what it is and provide a treatment plan. Carcinomas and fibromas are common. Good luck.

Hi, and thanks for your question. Begin by submitting a water sample for quality testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or a nominal fee. Clinical examination should always include a water quality check, even if you have done so already. Water testing should be performed with a quality test kit, measuring NH4, NO2 and NO3. High ammonia levels, PH imbalances may be responsible for these signs. Oxygen concentration and quality of the filters should be determined as well. If water quality is good and there are no major imbalances, your fish should get examined to look for any sign of bacterial/fungal infection and eventually water should be treated. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thank you for your question, and thanks for the pictures - they are very helpful! Unfortunately, there are many things that can result in white ares on the skin of fish. As you mentioned, Ich is one of them, and this is a type of parasite. There are other parasites that cause white areas, and there are also types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause them too. In addition to this, it may be tissue, as you mentioned above as well - this tissue would be abnormal, and may be benign or malignant in nature. Due to this, it would be ideal to have Curly seen by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can take a sample of the white areas and can evaluate the material under the microscope. This will help to guide what type of treatment would be needed for Curly (example: antibiotics, anti-parasitics, anti-fungals). I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope that Curly feels better soon!

Thanks for reaching out about your fish and including photos. Water quality needs to be checked (pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates) and corrected. Often high protein lead to increased surface tension of the water and the bubbles accumulating. This can also damage the skin and fins. Good luck.

Hi and thanks for your request and pictures. This tumor like lesion could be due to a lymphocystis. This is a virus (herpes), mostly seen in goldfish, which can cause these type of cauliflowers mass-like lesions. Of course to be confirmed, this should be sampled and or removed completely. Unfortunately these masses can grow much bigger that the one showed in the pics and can become infected. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Thanks for reaching out about Kirky and including a photo, although the photo is out of focus. Swimming to the surface and gulping air is typically and indication of gill disease. Gill disease can be caused by poor water quality, bacterial infections, gill parasites, and metabolic disorders. First, check water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Correct problems. Make sure to treat tap water for several hours prior to adding to the tank. If water quality is correct, a veterinary visit for assistance in a diagnostic/treatment plan. A gill clip can be examined under the microscope to determine parasitic or other gill disease. Antibiotics added to the water typically cause more problems than benefit, altering biological filtration. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your parrot fish and including a picture. Unfortunately the picture does not help to identify the lesion. There are multiple parasites (and different treatments) that can infest the gills, but very few are visible to the naked eye. Anchorworms would be one such parasite. A short (5-15 minute) fresh water dip can help to decrease parasite loads. Fresh water should be well aerated with an airstone, and monitored the entire length of the treatment. A visit to the veterinarian would allow a gill and skin scrape to identify the parasite, and therefore prescribe a more precise treatment. Good luck.