Jack Dempsey Bump

[Cichlidroobs]

Hello all, back from a long hiatus, the fish are doing quite well and are much much bigger! Anyways, my dempsey has developed a bit of a headbump today, and I was wondering if fish's heads swell up with bumps like our heads when we run into stuff. I say this because it is a high possibility that he just ran into a rock, as the bump is not discolored or incredibly serious looking. He's just pushing 3 years and 8 inches and I dont want to take any chances with such a prize fishy.

EDIT: oh, and I guess not all is well, the group murdered my red shoulder peacock unexpectedly... taking him off of my sig

 

[Cichlidroobs]

alright, so a bit of a bump for my bump...
today the bump seems to be a bit more malicious looking, small white spots seem to be forming in the area and it looks like a bit of white is sluffing off, almost like the core of a zit.
it also seems a little pinkish in color towards the center.

 

[Cichlidroobs]

Alright come on guys, I need some real help here, the white stuff is just oozing out as I watch him, this seems to be serious.

 

[TabMorte]

I don't keep big fishes but I always go to Melafix if my fish seem hurt at all and use Pimafix with it if there's any signs of infection.

 

[Big Vine]

Hey, nice to see you back!
I'm glad you've been enjoying watching your JD grow, and I can tell you've really gotten attached to him. Sorry to hear about his recent health issues.

Unfortunately it sounds as though he has a wound which has become infected. So how do you go about treating it? Well, I'm thinking an antibiotic might do the trick. The fact that the wound appears to be draining/'oozing' on its own is good, but that alone may not be enough to prevent the spread of infection. Plus there is likely cause for concern when it comes to the other fish (also undoubtedly stressed) and the possible spread of infection.

Melafix on its own may help, and even a Melafix/Pimafix combo might work together to prevent secondary infection. But judging from your description of his symptoms, this sounds like an infection which warrants something stronger.


To be perfectly honest, treatment may not mean a whole lot if you don't get down to the root of the problem and address the causes of his illness. I'm about 99% sure that it is aggression-related, and a big factor is water quality. Even if your water quality is up to par (no ammonia, no nitrItes, nitrAtes at or below 20 PPM), a fish which is injured in the presence of aggressive tankmates will typically have a tougher time recovering than a fish in the same conditions with no aggressive tankmates. Why? One word...stress.

You already mentioned how your peacock was killed.
Based on your stocklist in this particular tank...

1 yellow lab
1 kennyi
1 livingstoni
1 jack dempsey
1 common pleco

...I'd be willing to bet that the lab will be the next victim (assuming of course that your JD is able to overcome his current health issues).

I'm sure SinisterKisses and others could comment more accurately with regards to the compatibility of those Africans. Based on my understanding, kennyi are extremely aggressive, labs are wusses, and livingstoni get pretty big. JD can get to be pretty big as well, so you're looking at 3 'potential' (I don't know the current size of all of your fish) brutes in a tank which does not offer much in the way of swimming space.

Lotus would probably be the one to ask about what specific types of antibiotics you ought to look into, but I'd say you really need to work out the other aforementioned issues if you truly want to solve the problems once and for all. One last note on the meds, in case you don't hear from Lotus right away...I'd probably check out what's available in your area first and see if you can get your hands on Maracyn and Maracyn II.

Hope this helps get you on the right track.
BV

 

[Cichlidroobs]

on the note of compatability, everybody is pretty well quartered off in their rock habitat, but the peacock had the unfair disadvantage of being introduced last, things seemed to be ok until some rocks shifted and habitats changed, he simply had no room once I rearranged the rock for stability purposes, funny thing is the JD is very dosile, its the livingstoni that grew to dislike the peacock due to territorial issues. Upon further observation, the bump has been draining and shrinking rapidly, I will do frequent water changes to ensure water quality and see about getting those meds.

Oh and from what I see, the kennyi needs to go before he gets it, the growing "brutes" (the lab is getting really big too...) are growing into his space.

 

[Cichlidroobs]

UPDATE: Melafix did the trick, never had to use any harsh antibacterials, everybody's happy again, and remaining quartered off in their territories. (for now...)

 

[TabMorte]

I'm glad the Melafix worked. It's really a wonderful thing to keep on hand particularly if you have fish prone to nipping and biting. I would keep the Pimafix handy as well. The two can be used in conjunction and in the case of minor bacterial infections and the like.

 

[Big Vine]

Thanks for the update...good to know the JD is doing better now. *thumbsup2
BV