Orange mass on hoplos belly

[Hoplo91]

I have 2 hoplo catfish and the other one had an orange mass between his pelvic fins. It was all white when I saw it first but the next time I saw it, it was partly orange. Is this ummm... his willy or is it something else? Hard to get a good photo as his fins cover it.

[bekateen]

The photo is not clear for an accurate diagnosis, but based on location, if the mass is smooth, it's probably anal prolapse, but if it has many separate points on its edges, then it's a lot of worms/parasites.

I don't know how to fix prolapse but meds for parasites.

Good luck, Eric

[Hoplo91]

I think I got a better picture but yeah it's smooth and looks like triangle-ish(maybe more of a pyramid like) from some angles. What was confusing me was that one very professional looking site(in my country) is saying that hoplo males have white, worm/parasite looking p*nis under their belly. But didn't find any confirmation to that in english. And this morning it was first longer and white, now shorter and orange. The fish is acting normally, active and eats well.

[bekateen]

Thank you for the new photo. That is definitely not a normal genital papilla. In fact, the genital papilla should be a separate structure located posterior to the reddish bulge.

The mass might be some kind of tumor, but I suspect anal prolapse. As I said before, I do not know how to treat that. Do research and just try your best. Some animals recover, but others die. I hope your fish recovers.

Good luck,
Eric

[MissNoodle]

Could try epsom salt for the prolapse, I agree thats what it looks like to me too.

Make a solution of dechlorinated water, 5 gallons. 1 tablespoon of plain, unscented undyed epsom salt dissolved in it.
Once a day net the hoplo and let him sit in the solution for no longer than 10 minutes.

Epsom salts reduce swelling. Its the only fish safe solution I know of.