My fish has external skin bubbles. Is it a tumor? When to see a vet?

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 Scrappy and including a photo. It does appear to be coming from the gill, could be hyperplastic tissue, a cyst or tumor. Causes could be bacterial, water quality, parasite, other. A veterinary visit is recommended for a diagnostic gill clip and microscopic exam. These can potentially bleed a fair amount, so performed at the veterinary clinic is preferred. Good luck.

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 a photo. This is a fairly large lesion and needs to be diagnosed and treated. Parasitic infestations and bacterial infections must be considered. Adding non-iodized salt at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons for 3 consecutive days might provide some osmotic relief but is not therapeutic levels. A skin scrape and microscopic examination is needed to diagnose parasites is needed. Different parasites require different medications. Bacterial infections should be treated with systemic antibiotics through injections or oral medications, not water additives. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Bubbles and including a photo. Abdominal distention (often termed "dropsy") can be due to accumulated fluid, eggs, enlarged organs or displaced swim bladder. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Store purchased medications are a waste of monies and will not fix anything. A diagnosis needs to be made to effectively treat. Good luck.

Hi and thanks for your request This is likely due to lymphocystis which a self limiting and resolving lump caused by a viral infection (iridovirus). The lump may take several weeks to disappear but it will eventually and spontaneously. Please check water parameters as they should be kept within normal limits.

Thanks for reaching out about Tommy and including a photo. These bubbles can be due to a bacterial infections or a parasitic infestation. Check and correct water quality. A veterinary visit is recommended to assist with a diagnostic and treatment plan. Good luck.