Strange bumps; need help ASAP!

[mrpoopybutthole]

So my Sun cat (Horabagrus brachysoma) has developed raised, almost cystic looking bumps on the dorsal part of his head. These bumps are confined to his head and no other part of his body. I know he has contracted this because of poor water conditions (I already slapped myself for allowing that to happen... ). I have never seen this and can't find any info on it.
As of late it almost looks as if the bumps have ruptured. There are short, white, fuzzy projections on them which could be from scratching. The fish is not panting/gulping although it has been making a yawning motion on occasion (which is slightly more frequent then usual). I think the yawning is caused by the irritation.
I am doing frequent water changes and dosing very small amounts of salt.

[bekateen]

Hi mrpoopybutthole,

Sorry to hear about your fish. Do you suspect parasites? Do these fish get lateral line erosion (LLE)? I don't know, I'm asking.

Good luck, Eric

[mrpoopybutthole]

No I don't think they are prone to LLE or hole in head disease. I suspect either parasites or virus. Although it's localization probably is more indicative of a parasite. I have started treating with lifeguard all in one (I had some on hand) until I can get an anti parasite med. I hope he makes it till then....

[bekateen]

Can you get better pics?

[naturalart]

Yes, better pics would be helpful. From what you describe, sounds like a parasite. In that case I might try Mardel's "Clout".

[bekateen]

Or "PraziPro" if you can get it and if the other medicine doesn't work.

Good luck, Eric

[mrpoopybutthole]

Thanks for all the help! I have tried to get good pics (seems like sick fish always get really picture shy) haha. I am really sure it's a parasite. It had spread to right in front of the eye and farther back towards his dorsal fin. Since I didn't have time to go to the store I dosed with lifeguard "all in one" treatment (N-halamine). Surprisingly it worked....or it seems to be working, however I am skeptical. I'm going to do a water change and a half dose tonight to see if it keeps getting better. Any info as far as the effectiveness of N-halamine would be appreciated.

[Viktor Jarikov]

This is the first time I hear of N-halamine. Did a 2-minute reading - it looks like a polymer-based antimicrobial medicine that mimics peptide antibodies. It may have an anti-fungal properties and maybe anti-protozoan too.

But protozoa, while a parasite, are unicellular eukaryotic organisms. What you are dealing with appears like large parasites, visible to human eye, unless those protrusions / lesions are masses of a parasite and/or inflamed tissue.

This is hard because a good picture is needed but not necessarily would be sufficient. A swipe and a look under a microscope should be the best approach.

[mrpoopybutthole]

The masses that are on his head protrude out about .5mm and are red on the base and began to take on a white "filamentous like" appearance near the top. Each are about 1-1.5mm in diameter. The masses are most likely just a symptom of the parasite which I would assume is a protozoan or something similar. The way it is spontaneously appears makes me want to rule out bacteria and fungi and the lack of any masses on the body make a virus an unlikely culprit. I have inspected them closely and there are no visible signs of large parasites.

I didn't think about getting a swab. I might try that.

Also sorry about the pics being so bad...trust me I have tried.... I hope that this is enough detail to get some good guesses to what it might be.

[bekateen]

Good luck treating your fish. I hope you can save it.

In the meantime, this might be a worthy thread for getting to know us. Have a read:

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =2&t=34998

Cheers, Eric

[mrpoopybutthole]

Good luck treating your fish. I hope you can save it.

In the meantime, this might be a worthy thread for getting to know us. Have a read:

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =2&t=34998

Cheers, Eric

I'll send you a pm after I get off work. Can we stay on topic please?

-Christian

[bekateen]

I'll send you a pm after I get off work. Can we stay on topic please?

Yes, absolutely. I didn't intend to distract.

Cheers, Eric

[Viktor Jarikov]

How are things going?

For a good picture it can be netted and not taken out of the tank but brought in to the front glass. Or placed briefly in a photo tank.