MOSAIC LEOPARD GOING DARK

[Ray.M]

Hope someone can shed some light on the unusual behavior/illness of my Mosaic Leopard. This leopard has been mating/breeding with its partner for the last couple of weeks. During this time they have laid eggs 3 times. All seemed OK except I have noticed the male going dark intermediately and at times goes dark and tends to position himself vertical and then all back to normal. He has some swelling/injuries on his anal fin in several spots on both sides. See photos below.

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx245/Ray_M_bucket/IMG_3268.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx245/Ray_M_bucket/IMG_3270.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx245/Ray_M_bucket/IMG_3272.jpg

At the moment he still is feeding but I am concerned that he will get worst as his behavior and colour change is out of character.

If I need to treat him - what is wrong with him and how do I treat him ?

Your help is always appreciated.

Ray

[Nev]

I can't help with the injuries. / swelling - maybe from fighting with another male?

They do go darker when laying, breeding and feeding young if they can. My missus wanted to know if I'd seen the sick discus in the corner of our community tank. lt was a healthy female fanning eggs.

Sounds like normal breeding behavior to me.

Brilliant looking fish btw.

[ILLUSN]

THEY GO DARK AS THEY SPAWN AS IT HELPS THE FRY TO FIND THE PARENTS (FRYSWIM TO THE DARKEST OBJECT IN THE TANK)

the swelling seems a bit off it could be an injusry from fighting and the over production of mucus aggrivating it (they secreate extra mucus when they spawn as food for the up comming fry)

[Ray.M]

Hi All,

The Leopard seems to be getting better (not going as dark & eating) but the swelling on the anal fin seems to be getting worse in one spot, the other superficial injuries seem to be the same, no better or worse. The swelling in the one spot seems to the to the same extent on both sides and at a guess appears to be about 5mm in total thickness.
See the attached photos for the swelling:
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx245/Ray_M_bucket/IMG_3408.jpg
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx245/Ray_M_bucket/IMG_3409.jpg

You help and input is always a great help and welcomed.
Thank you in advance.

Ray

[Merrilyn]

It seems to be a cyst of some kind. It looks like it's contained in the fin, and not going into the body. Is that right?

If it was my fish, I'd take it out of the tank, lay it on a wet towel with wet towel over it, and quickly lance the cyst, dry the fin then rub in some bettadine ointment on both sides.

If you're at all squeamish, maybe just rub the bettadine ointment in daily without lancing. Make sure you get bettadine ointment and not the lotion. Ointment will stick whereas the lotion will just wash away.

[Ray.M]

Thanks Merrilyn,

Yes, the swelling is redistricted to the fin.
Questions:
How long can I leave the discus out of water with out distressing it to much ?
If I leave it a bit longer before I do it (to make sure it will not improve of its own accord) will the cyst adversely affect the discus ?
Do you just use a sterilised pin to lance ?
One side or both ?
Do I need to squeeze the fluid out ?
Do you only need to betadine the one time ?
What causes the cyst to start with ? A blocked pore ?

Thanks,
Ray

[Merrilyn]

So long as you keep the fish wet, I'd say it would be fine for about 30 seconds to a minute, but obviously you want to get it back into the water as soon as possible.

The problem with leaving it longer, it may go into the body tissue. Best to treat while it's still contained in the fin..

Yes, a pin or razor blade run through a flame should be okay to lance the cyst. I think one side should be sufficient. Depends on what the cyst contains. I'm hoping it's just clear fluid, but it may be a solid lump.

Use the bettadine daily.

I'm not sure why they start, could be a slight injury that became infected.

Good luck.